Thomas Brodie Sangster Age During The Maze Runner Casting and Filming
Thomas Brodie Sangster was born on May 16, 1990, which means he was 19 years old when he was cast as Newt in The Maze Runner. The casting process for the dystopian sci-fi film took place in 2013, with principal photography starting later that year. The Maze Runner was produced by 20th Century Fox and directed by Wes Ball, based on the James Dashner novel. Sangster's casting was confirmed through official studio announcements and trusted entertainment outlets covering the project Forbes review.
Newt Character Background and Casting Details
Newt is the second-in-command of the Gladers, a group of boys trapped in a mysterious maze. The character is described as calm, strategic, and physically imposing, traits that casting directors looked for during auditions. Sangster was selected from a competitive pool of young actors for the role, with his prior experience in Nanny McPhee and Other Stories and his musical background helping him stand out. The Maze Runner film adaptation was greenlit after the success of Dashner's book series, with the studio targeting a younger adult audience.
Thomas Brodie Sangster Age at The Maze Runner Release and Box Office Performance
The Maze Runner was released on September 19, 2014, making Thomas Brodie Sangster 24 years old at the time of the film's theatrical debut. The movie grossed over $348 million worldwide against a production budget of $34 million, becoming a commercial hit for 20th Century Fox. The film's strong opening weekend and positive audience reception led directly to sequels, including The Scorch Trials and The Death Cure. Industry analysts and box office tracking platforms reported the franchise as a key contributor to Fox's 2014 youth demographic gains Box Office Mojo.
Franchise Timeline and Sequel Continuity
The Maze Runner launched a three-film series that concluded in January 2018 with The Death Cure. Thomas Brodie Sangster reprised the role of Newt across all three installments, aging from 24 to 27 during the production span. The sequels maintained the core cast while expanding the dystopian world, with The Scorch Trails adapting the second novel and The Death Cure adapting the final book. The franchise's consistent performance solidified Sangster's presence in the young adult sci-fi genre.
Thomas Brodie Sangster Career After The Maze Runner and Current Projects
After The Maze Runner, Thomas Brodie Sangster continued acting in film and television, taking roles in Star Wars: The Force Awakens as Poe Dameron's mechanic and the HBO series The Last of Us as Sam. He was 33 years old when The Last of Us premiered in 2023, marking a significant shift from young adult roles to adult characters. Sangster's career trajectory shows a deliberate move toward more mature, complex characters while maintaining connections to major franchise properties. His work in The Last of Us earned critical praise and expanded his audience beyond the YA sci-fi demographic HBO The Last of Us.
Recent Filmography and Industry Standing
Thomas Brodie Sangster's filmography now includes titles such as Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Alien: Covenant, and The Artful Dodger. He has worked with production companies including Lucasfilm, 20th Century Studios