After his elimination (deemed premature) in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, Darth Maul returns to the saga in The Clone Wars, then Star Wars: Rebels, two excellent animated series that focus on The Clone Wars and the post-Order 66 era. While a good portion of fans were pleased with the respect Lucasfilm finally gave to the double-lightsaber-wielding Sith, some may be disappointed that he didn't appear more in a live-action project. His story is rich and interesting to adapt.
Darth Maul, a character beloved by fans
Darth Maul is undoubtedly one of the most beloved villains in the Star Wars saga. The design, his mute side, and this double lightsaber immediately appealed to viewers of The Phantom Menace. Eliminated at the end of the film by Obi-Wan Kenobi, the Sith lord was resurrected by Lucasfilm in the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. George Lucas felt that the character had strong dramatic potential. Killed off too soon, Lucasfilm decided to bring him back as a vengeful warrior obsessed with Obi-Wan.
The character then serves as an alternative villain, a free agent since he detaches himself from Darth Sidious. A way to break the Manichaeism that has surrounded the franchise since its beginnings. His final duel against Obi-Wan in Star Wars: Rebels is proof of a more in-depth treatment of the character. If the former apprentice of Darth Sidious has had a real revival in the animated branch of the saga (but also in the comics: Hidden Empire, Crimson Reign), his cameo in the live-action film Solo, a Star Wars Story will have only served to generate fan service among the spectators. It was supposed to relaunch the story arc surrounding the criminal order Scarlet Dawn (which he founded in Clone Wars), but the film was a failure, so the idea of a sequel or another spin-off was abandoned. And so it was on the comics side that the character found his development. Too bad, because Darth Maul has potential. It has a very rich history that deserves to be highlighted on screen, to the general public.
#3 Its creation and rise within Scarlet Dawn
While the project of a sequel to Solo around Scarlet Dawn has been dismissed, this crime syndicate would be well worth our attention. Why not in a spin-off (in film or series) centered on its creation and its premises. Recruitment and rivalry with Qi'ra, expansion of the organization within the galaxy,Darth Maul's rise within his syndicate while playing on his ruthlessness and desire for revenge against Obi-Wan, the narrative possibilities are numerous. In addition, the underworld universe and a project on an antagonist would bring a certain diversity to the production of Star Wars films and series.
#2 An origin story
Long before he founded Scarlet Dawn, and even before his resurrection, Darth Maul represented the future of the Sith order. He was given by his mother - one of the Nightsisters - to Palpatine on his home planet Dathomir. With the dark side naturally emanating from him, he was trained in the art of combat and the principles of the dark side of the Force, before the Zabrak carried out numerous missions across the Outer Rim. An interesting pitch on paper that has something to bring the crowds together. The idea of a very dark origin story could be divisive, but themes like his subservience to Darth Sidious, his stolen identity, and his psychological construction remain enticing to put into images. Hooking up the wagons with The Phantom Menace would complete the circle and make the connection with the rest of the Star Wars mythology.
An entire Darth Maul story arc revolves around the creation of the Shadow Collective and the capture of Mandalore. About 10 years before Scarlet Dawn, the Sith decided to create this organization, bringing together various rebel factions, such as Death Watch, Hutt clans, the Black Sun, and the Pyke Syndicate, in order to take the planet Mandalore and create an independent power, outside the Sith Order and Palpatine. The Clone Wars series focuses on his rise and fall, notably through a few key elements such as the capture and siege of Mandalore, or his fight against Darth Sidious. But a complete series on the entire story surrounding the Shadow Collective, its members, but also how Darth Maul managed to climb the ranks within the galactic underworld would be worthwhile. Also, the project could fill in the gaps between the animated series and the events of Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.
0 Comments