Lucasfilm Turns to Darth Maul as ‘The Mandalorian’ Leaves Disney+ Behind
For years, The Mandalorian (2019) represented exactly what Disney wanted Star Wars to become on streaming.
Pedro Pascal’s Din Djarin and Grogu helped turn the series into one of Disney+’s signature originals, while Lucasfilm expanded its live-action television lineup around it. But six years after Mando first arrived, Star Wars looks very different.
Din Djarin and Grogu have made the jump to theaters with The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026), while a fourth season of The Mandalorian remains unconfirmed.
Meanwhile, Lucasfilm already knows which major Star Wars series will continue on Disney+ in 2027.
Darth Maul is coming back.
Darth Maul Will Return in 2027
Lucasfilm has officially confirmed Maul: Shadow Lord Season 2 for 2027.
Head writer and executive producer Matt Michnovetz announced the news during Disney’s D23 event in 2026. Lucasfilm hasn’t provided an exact release date, but the announcement guarantees another year of animated Star Wars content on Disney+.
That’s becoming increasingly important.
Lucasfilm has released at least one animated Star Wars title or season every year since 2020, beginning with Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season 7.
Since then, Disney+ has hosted The Bad Batch, Visions, Tales of the Jedi, Tales of the Empire, Tales of the Underworld, Young Jedi Adventures, and other animated projects.
In 2026, Maul: Shadow Lord Season 1 joined that growing list alongside Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi.
Maul’s return in 2027 will extend Lucasfilm’s animation streak to seven consecutive years.
Star Wars Is Changing on Disney+
The contrast with The Mandalorian is difficult to ignore.
Disney originally leaned heavily into live-action Star Wars programming for its streaming service. The Mandalorian(2019) was followed by shows including The Book of Boba Fett (2021), Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022), Andor (2022), Ahsoka(2023), The Acolyte (2024), and Skeleton Crew (2024).
Now, Mando has moved to theaters, while Maul remains firmly planted on Disney+.
That doesn’t mean Maul: Shadow Lord has literally replaced The Mandalorian, nor has Lucasfilm confirmed that Mando’s television series is permanently finished.
Still, Disney’s Star Wars streaming strategy appears to be evolving.
As of now, Maul: Shadow Lord is the only officially announced animated Star Wars movie or television project in development beyond 2026. That puts plenty of pressure on Season 2 to continue the momentum established by its first season.
Lucasfilm could eventually announce more Visions, another Tales installment, or something completely different.
For now, though, Disney+ has a familiar Star Wars villain ready to carry its animated slate into another year.
Mando may have moved to movie theaters, but Darth Maul is making sure Star Wars isn’t leaving streaming behind.
