Dylan O'Brien stars in first photo for 'The Scorch Trials'

LOS ANGELES, March 11 (UPI) -- Dylan O'Brien stars in a first photo from Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials.

The 23-year-old actor returns as Thomas in the dramatic new image obtained by Entertainment Weekly, which features the character on the ground with what appears to be a detonator in his hand.

O'Brien first portrayed Thomas in The Maze Runner (2014), which is based on the James Dashner novel of the same name. Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials is adapted from The Scorch Trials, and opens in theaters September 18.

Exclusive 1st Look: @dylanobrien meets a world of danger in @MazeRunnerMovie: #ScorchTrials: http://t.co/rfGOIm7Fkb pic.twitter.com/bjn6TYw0kv

— Entertainment Weekly (@EW) March 11, 2015

The Maze Runner series of books is set in a post-apocalyptic world, and follows Thomas as he and other Gladers attempt to escape the maze that surrounds their community. The first film earned over $340 million at the box office, and co-stars Kaya Scodelario and Ki Hong Lee.

O'Brien is also known for portraying "Stiles" Stilinski on MTV series Teen Wolf, and appeared in comedy The Internship. The actor and girlfriend Britt Robertston attended Lee's wedding to Ha Young Choi with co-stars Dexter Darden, Alexander Flores, Will Poulter and Chris Sheffield on Saturday.