Darth Maul Returns in Badass Trailer for Lucasfilm’s STAR WARS: MAUL – SHADOW LORD
Darth Maul is stepping back into the spotlight, and it looks awesome! Lucasfilm has officially released a new trailer for Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord, giving fans their first real taste of the animated series centered on one of the franchise’s most dangerous and fascinating villains.
If you’re a fan of Star Wars animation, this one looks like required viewing. The project was first announced in April 2025 during the Star Wars Celebration panel in Tokyo.
The series comes from Dave Filoni and focuses on Darth Maul, the character created by George Lucas who first amazed audiences as the primary antagonist in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. The show is set after the events of The Clone Wars and follows Maul during the rise and reign of the Galactic Empire.
Sam Witwer is back once again to voice Maul, and hearing him in the trailer feels like slipping right back into familiar territory. The footage shows Maul trying to rebuild his criminal syndicate after everything he’s lost, all while secretly training a new apprentice. It’s dark, intense, and exactly the kind of story this character thrives in.
Personally, I’m excited about this series. It looks like it’s going to be a freakin’ badass show. I love the Star Wars animated projects, and this feels like another strong swing in that lane.
Lucasfilm Vice President of Animation Athena Portillo previously talked about the series and Witwer’s involvement, explaining just how hands-on he’s been with shaping the character.
She said: “Unfortunately I can’t tell you too much, but what I can say is Sam Witwer’s involvement in the show has been pristine. I’m very excited about him being able to review the scripts and provide input in all of that as well. Dave Filoni and Sam created the character for animation, and so it’s very important to hear his thoughts as well for the character depth.”
Witwer also shared where Maul is mentally when the story begins, tying it directly to events from The Clone Wars. He said the show picks up when Maul is “dusting himself off a bit” after Ahsoka “kicked him to the curb.”
He went on to add, “We learn some different things about this character. He’s got some different traits that you wouldn’t necessarily think he has that make perfect sense from what he’s been through.”
The creative team behind the series is stacked with Star Wars animation veterans. Matt Michnovetz serves as head writer, while Brad Rau is the supervising director. Both also executive produce alongside Filoni and Portillo.
Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord is set to premiere on Disney+ in 2026. If the trailer is any indication, Maul’s next chapter is going to be intense, ruthless, and a whole lot of fun to watch.