Maul: Shadow Lord is going to look into how Darth Maul’s career as the head of the Star Wars underworld after Ahsoka Tano released him in a bit to distract the Clone Troopers during Order 66. The animated series has already released its breathtaking trailer, which seems to have perfected the style of animation that The Clone Wars employed throughout its run.
With the show diving deep into Maul’s criminal career, I believe that there are a few things that are yet to be addressed in the wake of Order 66. Some of these things were explored in Maul’s storyline in Rebels, which makes sense given the proximity between that plotline and the end of The Clone Wars animated series. A slew of choices made by characters around Maul could come to fruition in Shadow Lord. The animated series could also show audiences what he did in the post-credit scene of Solo: A Star Wars Story. Personally, here are ten things that I think the show should explore:
1. Bridge the Gap between Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Solo: A Star Wars Story
Darth Maul in Solo: A Star Wars Story || Credit: Lucasfilm
While Solo: A Star Wars Story was not as well-received as Lucasfilm expected for multiple reasons, Maul’s appearance in the post-credit scene of the film was something that set up so much for his future. However, Lucasfilm would end up discontinuing the Star Wars Anthology series, and we never got to see Darth Maul in live action again. I have always been curious about how Emilia Clarke’s Qi’ra and her compatriots came into the service of Darth Maul.
Given that Maul is likely going to continue his reign as the godfather of the Galaxy’s underworld, it would be fun to see how Maul builds his empire back and how it operates in the shadow of Palpatine’s own Galactic Empire. This could also focus on how Maul came into contact with Dryden Vos.
2. Maul Meeting Dryden Vos
Dryden Vos in Solo: A Star Wars Story || Credit: Lucasfilm
Dryden Vos was an important character in Solo: A Star Wars Story. He served as the public face of Crimson Dawn, putting his massive wealth into the criminal organization’s operations. Trusted by Maul, it would be fun to see how the characters came to meet in the first place. The end of Solo sees Voss dead, with Qi’ra hiding Han Solo and Chewbacca’s roles in the incident. This causes Qi’ra to be invited to Dathomir by Maul to work with the ex-Sith Lord in a closer capacity.
Given that Crimson Dawn was the closest thing that the Shadow Collective had as a successor, I would find it interesting to see what led Maul to hand the reins of such an important organization to Vos, and why his death caused Maul to invite his Lieutenant to Dathomir.
3. Darth Maul Crossing Paths With Darth Vader
Darth Vader in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story || Credit: Lucasfilm
Maul was always meant to be expendable for Plagieus and Sidious. Trained in part in violation of the Rule of 2, Maul was never going to measure up to Darth Vader. This doesn’t mean that the former Sith Lord would not have a lot of resentment for the man who took his place by the Emperor’s side.
With Darth Vader serving as the Emperor’s chief enforcer, I would like to see Maul come face-to-face with his replacement and try to fight him. Of course, there is no way that it would be a fair fight, but seeing Maul realize how hilariously outclassed he is would justify his choices later, such as trying to find apprentices and sticking to the criminal underworld of the galaxy rather than going for the Emperor’s throne.
4. Bo-Katan Kryze Hunting Darth Maul
Kate Sackhoff as Bo-Katan Kryze | Credit: Disney+
For me, one of the most heart-wrenching scenes from Star Wars: The Clone Wars was Maul taking over Mandalore and then murdering Satine Kryze. While Obi-Wan grew to move on from Maul, resisting the Dark Side in the face of insurmountable odds, Bo-Katan fought tooth and nail to preserve her sister’s legacy and bring Maul to justice.
The only reason Bo-Katan stopped pursuing her revenge was that, as far as she knew, Maul was under the custody of the Republic, personally being escorted to Coruscant by Ahsoka Tano. However, given that Maul escaped his confinement, and Clan Kryze having lost the throne of Mandalore to Clan Saxon after she refused to side with the Empire, Bo-Katan might resume her revenge against Maul as she tries to figure out her place in the galaxy. Not yet mature enough to lead the restoration of Mandalore, and still reeling from the loss of her sister, her station, and her home, Bo-Katan would serve as an interesting mirror to Obi-Wan as she pursues her vengeance against Maul.
5. Jabba the Hutt and Darth Maul Fighting To Control The Underworld
Jabba the Hutt has largely been able to shrug off the conflict between the Sith and the Jedi. However, as Maul returns to take his place at the head of the criminal underworld, it might be prudent to assume that he will come into conflict with someone like Jabba.
It would be interesting to see a Sith deal with Jabba head-on, who has managed to stay in power on Tatooine for quite some time. It would also be hilarious, given that he would be in such close proximity to Obi-Wan, but be none the wiser. This is a trait that has often defined Maul. He never learns. He is easily blinded by rage and vengeance. It would be completely in character. However, if he and Jabba never have the face-off in person, it would be interesting to see how their various subordinates interact and deal with each other.
6. Fallout from Ahsoka’s Decision To Let Maul Escape
Ahsoka Tano and Maul || Credit: Lucasfilm
Ahsoka let Maul go to distract the Clone Troopers who were carrying out Order 66. While it was a decision that made sense at the time, there were non-Jedi entities that were involved in Maul’s capture. Bo-Katan might track down Ahsoka in a bid to find Maul, and upon learning that it was Ahsoka who set the murderer of her sister free, Bo-Katan would make life difficult for more than one character in the show.
Further, given that on paper, it is the Republic that was reorganized into the Empire, Maul might still be a fugitive, and Ahsoka Tano might be tied with him in the case. There are several other ways to paint the former Sith Lord as a Jedi sympathizer, or even make Ahsoka seem pro-Sith. Either way, Ahsoka’s position as Fulcrum might be off to a rocky start, as rebels and common folk can be easily manipulated to believe that Ahsoka might be a Sith double agent.
7. Maul’s New Apprentice- And If She Is Indeed a Canon Darth Talon
Darth Maul || Credit: Lucasfilm
Darth Maul’s apprentice is going to be a red-skinned Twi’lek in Maul: Shadow Lord. At least, he is going to pursue her to join his side. This might be the closest thing fans get to Darth Talon, who was one of the most beloved concepts from the Legends timeline. It remains to be seen how the ex-Jedi padawan is treated, given that she cannot have a very big impact on the set canon.
It is most likely going to be the case that she doesn’t even get to be Darth Talon. However, her similarities with the character from Legends have given fans hope that the character might just have a presence in the canon timeline. I would enjoy her keeping her Jedi roots, though. Unless, of course, Darth Talon is going to the antagonist for for the new trilogy…
8. Maul Remaining A Hardcore Villain
Darth Maul || Credit: Lucasfilm
A lot of storylines in Star Wars have taken a deep dive into characters that were part of the film trilogies. They were able to take a deeper look into their motivations, given that most shows are significantly longer than the films. A lot of times, this has made characters sympathetic- but not Maul. Maul: Shadow Lord needs to keep its protagonist bad and villainous, no matter what.
Maul is largely not a redeemable character, and that is because of the choices that he makes. Maul has also appeared in a lot of shows and films, which means a lot of his motivations have become clearer. However, there are still mysteries that ought to be explored in his past, which would include how he came into Palpatine’s service.
9. Flashbacks To Maul Training and Serving Under Palpatine Before The Phantom Menace
Palpatine in The Revenge of the Sith || Credit: Lucasfilm
While Maul: Shadow Lord is going to follow the character after his escape during the Clone Wars, his past remains largely unexplored in the canon timeline. It would be interesting to see his apprenticeship under Palpatine, as the then Senator of Naboo would have to balance his public appearances with his dealings as a Sith Lord. While the show cannot focus on this for extended periods of time, it would be fun to see how Darth Maul came to be the menace to the Galactic Republic that we see in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace.
10. How Did The Darksaber End Up In Maul’s Shrine In Star Wars: Rebels
The Darksaber has had a very interesting trajectory in Star Wars. Finding itself in the hands of multiple characters, from the leader of Death Watch to Maul, and eventually in the hands of Bo Katan. However, there was a slight discrepancy between where the sword was during the Rebels and the Clone Wars. Maul: Shadow Lord could shine some light on that front, allowing fans to finally have a more comprehensive understanding of the sword’s history.
Future projects could also figure out how Moff Gideon came into possession of the weapon, and where it might be headed next. Clearly, an important weapon in Mandalorian history, its journey might not be over now that Bo-Katan is using it to rule Mandalore.
NameMaul: Shadow LordFirst Episode Air DateApril 6, 2026CreatorDave FiloniCastSam WitwerGideon AdlonWagner MouraRichard AyoadeNo. of Episodes 10
What species does Darth Maul belong to?
Darth Maul belongs to a species called Zabrak, which is a near-human carnivorous species that hails from the planet Iridonia and Dathomir.
Is Darth Maul currently dead in Star Wars canon?
Yes. Darth Maul was slain by Obi-Wan Kenobi on Tatooine. In the canon timeline, the character is dead.
How did Darth Maul survive The Phantom Menace?
While presumed dead after the events of The Phantom Menace, Maul used his hate and anger to keep himself conscious, following which he received cybernetic enhancements to become completely functional.
Did Darth Vader and Darth Maul ever meet?
As far as canon is concerned, despite them being in at least one location together, the two apprentices of Palpatine never cross paths.
Maul: Shadow Lord begins streaming on Disney+ on April 6, 2026.
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