So, youre aStar Warsfan?
Star Warsis why I want to make movies!
We lived in the middle of nowhere, the closest theatre was like an hour away.
He was so excited.
I just finished watchingThe Clone Wars.I avoided it for some reason.
It was really good, amazing.
Would you like to direct one of the upcoming newStar Warsfilms?
[Laughs] But I wont presume up to that.
Well see how people like Maze Runner first.
Were in good shape.
Just a fraction of that.
That sense of adventure.
And the language in that movie [Goonies], the cursing!
Were not trying to talk down to anybody.
Theres kids in it but its a little bit more mature, a little bit more sophisticated.
Its not sugar-coated for them.
Theyre gonna like that I hope.
Its going to be one of those movies that twelve year olds sneak into [laughs].
Why do you think YA novels are so popular currently?
I dunno, its weird isnt it?
[Laughs] Its tricky.
Its nothing new cos weve had plenty of young adult books before but its this label now.
It definitely does put a target on our back.
Were much more about adventure and hopefully, hopefully, that it feels timeless, so it will endure.
What doesMaze Runnerhave that other YA franchises such asDivergent, TwilightandThe Hunger Gamesdont?
Its that sense of mystery Id pitch it asLord Of The FliesmeetsLost.
That sense of mystery is a really big engine in our movie what the hell is going on?
Mystery is a really strong aspect of the movie.
Its about a group who are placed into these circumstances and find a way out together.
Its different in that regard too.
I was a boy scout and that influenced the film too.
Theres something cool about that.
Thats very 80s, kids being adults, Spielberg… We couldnt afford to get actors too young.
I think we did the right thing, the cast are really good.
Theyre good people, really talented actors.
They fully committed to making a really cool movie with me.
Ill be forever grateful for what theyve brought to this thing, it really rests on their shoulders.
How involved were you in casting?
I wanted Effy fromSkins[laughs].
And I wanted Will Poulter as Gally.
Those were the first people I knew I wanted.
How did you know those British actors?
Its a world thing man.
[Laughs] I knew her from that.
I love the idea of just not doing some delicate girl who need to be saved.
She has this kind of toughness to her, aggressive.
And shes gorgeous at the same time.
Im excited for the next movie, its really all about Kaya.
And about her story and where it goes is fantastic.
Its really dramatic, operatic almost.
Shes incredibly, I really love her.
How do you think your work compares to book?
James Dashner [author ofThe Maze Runner] said we were better than the books!
I dont know if he was being nice [laughs], but Ill take it!
How far in sequel development are you?
The thing is, its a very different movie; a different world, a different everything.
Its a unique opportunity for a sequel to be a really weird right turn all of a sudden.
Theres a lot of really good emotional drama.
Do you think trailers are ruining films these days?
Yeah, you see these trailers and you think, Ive sen the movie!
The other thing is when they sell a movie they dont have.
You turn up to the cinema and its like, This isnt the movie you sold me!
We have all this cool spectacle stuff with the maze, so lets use that to sell it.
So far, Fox is on board with keeping them mysterious.
Im trying to hold on to as much as possible.
The notion of surprises reminds of the television show you mentioned,Lost.
Is that where it comes from?
Its tricky dilemma of sometimes the questions are more interesting than the answers [laughs].
Lost was a huge touch-point for me, that sense of mystery and trying to figure things out.
I had a little VFX and animation company and I just needed to make something.
I had this project calledRuinin my head for six years or so.
This really big, really ambitious sci-fi thing.
Its kind of myStar Wars.Im trying to achieve whatStar Warsdid for me as a kid.
I just decided to make something.
Its very contained and simple.
Of course, it ballooned up in complexity [laughs].
Its very ambitious, very hard sci-fi the ideas that were exploring.
About what it means to be human beings and the role of technology and evolution.
Its very much a phoenix story, something rises from the ashes; a new beginning essentially.
When that came out, it went all over town and it was a great selling tool, inadvertently.
I didnt mean it that way.
Were working on the first draught so hopefully itll be a feature.
Were working on it now, giving the time that it needs to make it great.
Im so fortunate its crazy.
Its not lost on me how lucky I am.
Wes Ball, thank you very much.
The Maze Runneris out in UK cinemas now.
