Dylan O'Brien stars in Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials. Photo from 20th Century Fox / Facebook
More than 50,000 people have signed a petition calling on the cast and crew of Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials to apologize for their treatment of a historic Pueblo site in New Mexico. The film was shot at the Diamond Tail Ranch, a private property located near two Pueblo reservations. The 22,000-acre site is known to contain tribal artifacts and one of the actors joked that some were taken. “It was this ancient Indian burial ground, I guess,” Dylan O’Brien said during an appearance on Live with Kelly and Michael last month. “They were very strict about littering and don’t take any artifacts like rocks, skulls — anything like that. And everyone just takes stuff, you know, obviously.” 20th Century Fox, the production studio behind the film, said it was investigating the issue amid public outcry. The petition said any items that were taken should be returned.
Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials was filmed at the Diamond Tail Ranch in New Mexico. Photo from Facebook
"The Native Americans from that area, the Pueblo people, have spoken out, angered and disrespected," the petition states. Although Diamond Tail ranch manager Roch Hart told the Associated Press that he doesn't know whether any items were taken, he was upset about the actor's comments. The studio has been in contact with the property. "Our position on the ranch is that we hold ALL artifacts as sacred to us and of course to those peoples who lived there regardless of what that artifact might be," Hart said on the ranch's Facebook page. Get the Story:
Native Americans protest ‘Maze Runner’ actor’s comments (Reuters 10/8)
Fox probing claims ‘Maze Runner’ cast took artifacts (AP 10/6)
Actor brags about looting Native American artifacts on ‘Maze Runner’ set (The Washington Post 10/6)
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