‘The Maze Runner’ Sequel Adds ‘Mud’ Star Jacob Lofland

The Maze Runner sequel is moving full steam ahead. According to reports, the cast of the highly-anticipated follow-up is adding actors and actresses left and right.

Based on author James Dashner’s novel Scorch Trials, the sequel to this fall’s worldwide box office hit will follow the adventures of our heroes as they begin dealing with life outside of the titular maze. In order to bring this story to life, producers are looking to a number of talented young thespians to tackle some important roles.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Mud star Jacob Lofland is among the handful of fresh faces joining the Maze Runner sequel. In addition to the aforementioned Matthew McConaughey drama, Lofland has appeared in Little Accidents alongside Elizabeth Banks and the hit television series Justified. An impressive resume, for sure.

Here’s a bit about the character Jacob will play in The Maze Runner: Scorch Trials.

“Lofland will play Aris Jones, a significant character from Dashner’s second novel. After The Gladers escape the maze, they meet Aris and discover his connection to the maze and the people who built it.”

Slash Film reports that Divergent alum Rosa Salazar also joined the cast of Maze Runner 2. Not too many young Hollywood actresses can say they’re part of two major Young Adult franchises, so Salazar is unique among her contemporaries. In addition to Scorch Trials, Rosa recently wrapped production of the Divergent sequel Insurgent.

It’s not altogether surprising that the folks at 20th Century Fox are anxious to get the follow-up off the ground as soon as possible. The $34 million adaptation has generated a modest $60 million in North America, though its performance overseas is more than noteworthy. Foreign markets have generated $92 million in ticket sales, pushing the flick’s worldwide total to $152 million. While these aren’t Hunger Games numbers, it’s enough to suggest that the studio has a money-making franchise on its hands.

In fact, The Inquisitr previously reported that director Wes Ball was putting together Scorch Trials before Maze Runner set foot in theaters. Now that Fox has given the project the proverbial green light, expect the sequel to hit the big screen on September 8, 2015.

Ball had this to say about the follow-up.

“We’ve got stages, we’ve got crews coming in, Dylan [O’Brien] will be back in a few weeks, we’re building sets, and the script is being written. It’s a bit of a race this time because we’re cautiously optimistic, but we’re feeling excited we’re about to do something that’s way more sophisticated, way more grown up, and really set up a saga here.”

What do you think about Jacob Lofland joining the cast of The Maze Runner sequel? Do you plan to catch Scorch Trials on the big screen?

[Lead image via Allocine]