Darth Maul

Lore & Background

After being bisected on Naboo, he survived in a feral state on the junkyard planet Lotho Minor for over a decade until Savage Opress found him. Mother Talzin restored his mind and body with Nightsister magick and cybernetics. Seeking revenge against Obi-Wan Kenobi, Maul united crime syndicates like Black Sun and the Pyke Syndicate to form the Shadow Collective. He orchestrated the takeover of Mandalore, killing Duchess Satine Kryze after capturing Obi-Wan. Though captured by Sidious for becoming a rival, Maul escaped before the rise of the Galactic Empire. Renouncing his Sith title, he rebuilt his criminal organization and manipulated Ezra Bridger to find Obi-Wan on Tatooine, leading to their final confrontation where Maul died.

Reader's Guide

Maul's red and black facial tattoos were designed by artist Iain McCaig, who said the pattern was inspired by facial musculature. Originally conceived with feathers based on prayer totems, the Creature Effects crew modified them into horns common in devil depictions. His costume evolved from a tight muscle-patterned suit to a Sith robe based on samurai pleats to accommodate acrobatic lightsaber battles involving jumping and rolling. Portrayed physically by Ray Park and voiced initially by Peter Serafinowicz in The Phantom Menace, Sam Witwer took over the voice role for animated appearances and Solo: A Star Wars Story. Maul's double-bladed red lightsaber was constructed from resin cast over a metal rod in the films, wielded like a staff.

Did You Know?

• George Lucas originally intended for Maul to feature in the sequel trilogy as the main antagonist, but these plans were discarded when Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012.
• Concept artist Iain McCaig designed Maul's face using his own features with the skin removed, creating a 'Darth Maulish pattern' inspired by facial musculature.
• Lucas initially considered revealing that General Grievous was actually Maul in disguise before developing Savage Opress to explain Maul's survival.
• In Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018), Ray Park physically portrayed Maul, but Sam Witwer provided the voice, reprising his role from The Clone Wars and Rebels.