Clarkson Searches For "The Maze Runner"

EW reports that the great Patricia Clarkson will join the cast of the film adaptation of author James Dashner's bestselling 2009 book "The Maze Runner".

The young adult dystopian story follows Thomas (Teen Wolf" series co-star and NJ native Dylan O'Brien) who awakens with no memory and finds that he is among a community of boys trapped inside an enormous maze. He soon learns they are part of a mysterious test, and finds it is his destiny to join the ‘maze runners’ and lead them to freedom.

Clarkson will play the enigmatic Chancellor Ava Paige, the woman who is testing children in order to find the strongest warriors.

Thomas Brodie-Sangster will portray Newt, an early friend for Thomas The character is a pertinent one to the entire trilogy. British actor Aml Ameen will play Alby, the honorable but stern leader of the Gladers. Kaya Scodelario ("Moon") is playing Teresa, Thomas's best friend, who falls into a coma after arriving with a message that she's the last one, and speaks to Thomas through telepathy. Will Poulter plays Gally an immediate foe to Thomas and doesn't trust him

Noah Oppenheim wrote the first draft of the script when Catherine Hardwicke was due to helm, Grant Myers wrote the next draft of the script for new helmer Wes Ball (Ruin).

Production is underway in Louisiana. "Runner" is expected to land in theaters on Feb. 14, 2014.