Sam Witwer Reprises Iconic Role in Upcoming Star Wars Spin-off
Disney+ is expanding the Star Wars universe with Maul: Shadow Lord, a new animated series focusing on the fan-favorite Sith Lord Darth Maul. Announced at Star Wars Celebration 2025 in Tokyo, the show will premiere in 2026 and explore Maul’s underworld empire after the events of Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
Sam Witwer, who has voiced Maul in The Clone Wars, Rebels, and Solo: A Star Wars Story, will return to the role. Witwer is also collaborating on scripts, ensuring the character’s depth aligns with his previous portrayals.
The Plot: Maul’s Underworld Reign and a Mysterious Apprentice
Set roughly a year after The Clone Wars, Shadow Lord follows Maul as he rebuilds his power in the criminal underworld. A key reveal from the Celebration panel was a Twi’lek apprentice, hinting at Maul’s own dark mentorship—a twist on classic Sith traditions.
Lucasfilm’s Athena Portillo teased deeper character exploration: “Sam’s involvement has been pristine… We’ll learn traits that make perfect sense for Maul after all he’s endured.”
Why Maul’s Return Matters
Originally introduced in The Phantom Menace (1999), Maul’s resurrection in The Clone Wars transformed him into a layered antagonist. His arcs in Rebels and Solo further cemented his legacy, making this series a long-awaited deep dive into his psyche.
The announcement trailer, shown during Lucasfilm Animation’s 20th-anniversary panel, reportedly left fans in “rapturous ecstasy.”
Key Details:
- Release: 2026 on Disney+.
- Creative Team: Dave Filoni (Lucasfilm CCO) and Athena Portillo oversee production.
- Ties to Canon: Connects to Maul’s Clone Wars defeat by Ahsoka Tano.
For more, watch Witwer’s Clone Wars commentary on StarWars.com or read The Phantom Apprentice episode breakdown.