Dylan O’Brien reveals safety concerns were ignored before near-death accident on The Death Cure

Dylan O’Brien recently shared alarming details about the near-fatal accident he experienced on the set of Maze Runner: The Death Cure in an interview with Men’s Health. The actor revealed that his concerns about safety protocols during the filming were not taken seriously, ultimately leading to the tragic incident that left him with severe injuries. O’Brien suffered a concussion, facial fractures, and brain trauma after a stunt involving two moving vehicles went horribly wrong.

The production of the film was halted indefinitely after the accident, and O’Brien spent six months in recovery, both physically and mentally. He reflected on how the accident became a life-altering moment, saying, "It was a life-changing incident. I’ve approached everything differently, you could say, particularly with regards to standing my ground on set."

O’Brien highlighted the challenges young actors face when speaking up about their safety on set, often labeled as being “difficult” or “a pain.” He explained that caring for oneself on set should never be seen as a negative trait. “It’s very commonplace in the culture for young actors to be controlled,” O’Brien said, adding that concerns like his are frequently dismissed.

In his Men’s Health interview, the actor stressed the importance of self-reliance when it comes to safety in the film industry. “At the end of the day, in these spaces, you have your own back, and that’s the most you can rely on," O’Brien said. "I was trying to protect myself that day, and so I’ve just never forgotten that."

The accident reportedly occurred when O’Brien was being pulled from a moving vehicle and was struck by another vehicle. The actor confessed that the incident left him in a dark place, and he even questioned whether he would return to acting. “There was a time where I didn’t know if I would ever do it again," O’Brien told Vulture in a previous interview.

O’Brien has since returned to acting and is currently promoting his latest role as Dan Aykroyd in Jason Reitman’s Saturday Night. His candid reflections on the accident serve as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety on film sets, regardless of industry pressures.