'Maze Runner' shuts down production following actor's injury

Fox's "The Maze Runner: The Death Cure" has shut down production for the foreseeable future because its star, Dylan O'Brien's injuries from an accident on set are more severe than initially expected.
The 24-year-old actor was injured while shooting the action-adventure sequel on March 18.
Sources say he was in a harness on top of a moving vehicle when he was pulled off the vehicle unexpectedly and hit by another vehicle.
Production on the film was shut down in March in order for the actor to recover, with Fox believing it would take only a few weeks and scheduling a May 9 resumption.

Sources now say that cast and crew have been sent home, and a new start date will depend on O'Brien's recovery and the ability to reassemble the large cast and crew, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Insiders say O'Brien's injuries are more severe than first believed.

"His injuries are very serious, and he needs more time to recover," said O'Brien's publicist, Jennifer Allen.
"The resumption of principal photography on Maze Runner: The Death Cure has been further delayed to allow Dylan O'Brien more time to fully recover from his injuries. We wish Dylan a speedy recovery and look forward to restarting production as soon as possible," said a statement from Fox.

The project was slated for release on February 17, 2017, but because of the lengthy delay, the film likely won't be able to make that date.
Wes Ball is directing the third film in the trilogy, in which O'Brien's character, Thomas, embarks on a mission to find a cure to a deadly disease known as the "Flare.