"The Maze Runner: Scorch Trials" ended production in January and is expected to hit theaters on September 18. The first images were recently previewed on Entertainment Weekly, and with the new stills come a slew of updates regarding the film's central plot.
Producer Wyck Godfrey told EW, "The first movie was the mystery of 'where are we and what is this place? And can we get out?' But the second movie is about the repercussions of getting out and the discovery of what the world is actually like."
Director Wes Bell also commented on the film's zombie-like antagonists. In his statement, the director made it clear that the "Cranks" weren't exactly zombies but they did fit the category.
"They're not undead," he said, "but they are rage-filled."
According to the official synopsis of the film, Thomas and his fellow Gladers are now free from the initial maze but are dropped in the Scorch, the "most burned-out section of the world". They only have two weeks to make it across or their very lives will be in danger.
It is also hinted in the synopsis that another group of kids immune to the Flare virus will be placed in the Scorch to compete for survival against Thomas' group. It is also expected that the Crank – people infected with the virus – will become the film's antagonists, replacing the Grievers of the first film.
The writing duties of "The Maze Runner: Scorch Trials" is primarily in the hands of T.S. Nowlin, who now takes over Noah Oppenheim. Dylan O'Brien returns as the lead character Thomas, along with other returning cast members.
"Scorch Trials" will also introduce new faces, such as Janson, played by Aidan Gillen. Katherine McNamara and "Game of Thrones" star Nathalie Emmanuel will also be in the sequel.
