20th Century Fox’s upcoming dystopian sequel Maze Runner: Scorch Trials just gained two talented stars, with word that Kill the Messenger actor Barry Pepper and The Conjuring actress Lili Taylor have joined the production in supporting roles.
In addition to bringing back the stars of this fall’s box office hit The Maze Runner, including lead Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Ki Hong Lee, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Will Poulter and Patricia Clarkson, Scorch Trials will introduce a large group of new characters who come into contact with Thomas (O’Brien) and his fellow Gladers after they escape the maze and discover a sun-scorched wasteland beyond its walls.
Pepper is on board to play Vince, described as a survivalist who is one of the last surviving members of a legendary unit known as the Right Arm. Taylor, meanwhile, will play Mary Cooper, a doctor who created a colony of survivors in hopes of making a final stand against a vicious plague known as the Flare, which the Gladers inexplicably exhibit a resistance to.
The pair are just the latest newcomers for the sequel. Game of Thrones‘ Aidan Gillen is set to play the film’s major antagonist, named Janson or “Rat-Man,” whose role is bigger in the planned third installment, Maze Runner: Death Cure. Rising star Rosa Salazar (Insurgent) will play Brenda, a girl infected with the Flare who helps the Gladers. Jacob Lofland (Mud) will take on the pivotal part of Aris Jones, a boy with a connection to WICKED who escaped a different maze with another group of Gladers hitherto unknown to Thomas’ group. Nathalie Emmanuel (Game of Thrones) will play Harriet, a leader in Aris’ group. And finally, Breaking Bad alumnus Giancarlo Esposito will take the part of Jorge, a dangerous man who claims to be the leader of those infected with the Flare, who are known as Cranks.
With all the talent on board for this sequel, and Wes Ball returning both to direct and script, it’s safe to say that Maze Runner: Scorch Trials will follow through on the tremendous promise of the first franchise entry. We’ll be counting down the days until September 18th, 2015.
