Dylan O’Brien Voices Concerns About ‘Maze Runner’ Set Before Life-Changing Accident

In 2016, while shooting for The Maze Runner: The Death Cure, Dylan O’Brien endured a severe accident when he was knocked from a moving vehicle and struck by another. This incident was undoubtedly traumatic, leading to a temporary halt in the film’s production as the severity of his injuries became clear. His publicist remarked that his injuries were “extremely serious.” At that time, his publicist released a statement regarding the gravity of the situation.

Wes Ball, the director, also expressed his feelings following the incident, stating in 2016 that he felt a mix of “anger, sadness, and guilt.”He expressed his sorrow for the distress this caused O’Brien’s friends, family, and the cast and crew, while remarking on the unsettling experience of witnessing an injury to a close friend—concluding that fortunately, Dylan would recover.

Nevertheless, O’Brien himself contended that he didn’t feel “fine” and classified this accident as “life-changing.” In a recent discussion with Men’s Health magazine, he criticized the prevailing culture that affects young actors. “There is a tendency within the industry to control young talent, often leading to pressure not to be seen as problematic or challenging. They ask, ‘Are you being difficult?’ or ‘Are you complaining?’ ” he recounted.

He added,

After the accident, I understood the importance of self-care. Don’t let anyone manipulate you into believing that advocating for yourself makes you a nuisance. I was just a 24-year-old who raised valid concerns about our methodology, which were ignored and disrespected, leading to what happened. It seems mistreatment was overlooked.

O’Brien’s comments echo sentiments shared by other actors facing perilous conditions on sets. In 2018, Uma Thurman drew attention to similar issues when she revealed that Quentin Tarantino pressured her into a hazardous situation in a vehicle during the filming of Kill Bill. This incident led to a crash, causing her lasting injuries for which Tarantino later issued an apology.

Tragically, unsafe film sets can lead to devastating consequences, as illustrated by the incident on the set of Rust, where cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was fatally wounded by a live round accidentally discharged by actor Alec Baldwin. Initial oversight of the weapon’s condition reaped severe consequences, resulting in armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed facing involuntary manslaughter charges and an eighteen-month prison sentence.

It is imperative to prioritize safety on film sets, and it is profoundly disheartening that O’Brien faced such significant risks due to negligence.

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