Maul Returns in ‘Star Wars’ Prequel Set Before New Disney+ Animated Series
Darth Maul, one of the most iconic villains in the faraway galaxy, has had an unusual journey since his first appearance in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (1999).
Cut in half and flung into a chasm by Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and presumed dead, Maul resurfaced in the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008), where he was developed far beyond the silent, apprentice Sith seen in George Lucas’ trilogy opener.
After he was voiced by Peter Serafinowicz and physically performed by Ray Park in the 1999 film, Maul went on to become a complex, nuanced figure in Star Wars, comparable in notability to Ahsoka Tano (Ashley Eckstein) from The Clone Wars’ character lineup.
He later appeared in the animated series Star Wars Rebels (2014) and even made a brief live-action cameo in the film Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) leading the criminal syndicate Crimson Dawn, with Clone Wars actor Sam Witwer returning to lend his voice each time.
Maul’s story will continue in an new animated series, Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord, set to premiere on Disney+ in 2026. Announced by Witwer at Star Wars Celebration in Tokyo earlier this year, the series takes place after The Clone Wars and follows the disgraced Sith Lord as he attempts to rebuild his criminal empire on a planet untouched by the Empire.
The show will use the same animation style as The Clone Wars, The Bad Batch, and the Tales Of anthology series. Shadow Lord is also expected to serve as a narrative bridge to Maul’s brief appearance at the end of Solo, filling in events between the two storylines.
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Ahead of the Disney+ premiere, however, Marvel Comics has now revealed that it will release a five-issue prequel miniseries titled “Star Wars: Shadow of Maul” in March 2026. Written by Benjamin Percy and illustrated by Madibek Musabekov, it explores Maul’s efforts to regain control of the criminal underworld on the never-before-seen planet Janix.
The story introduces new characters, including Captain Brander Lawson and his droid partner, Two Boots, who investigate the underworld Maul seeks to rule. Speaking to Marvel.com, Percy described the series as both a sci-fi and crime story, noting that it features “cops, criminal syndicates, a neon-lit, shadow-alleyed city that hides many sins and secrets.”
The creative team worked closely with Lucasfilm, reading scripts and watching episodes of the new animated series to ensure the comic aligns with the larger narrative while offering a self-contained story that expands on Maul’s character.
“Star Wars: Shadow of Maul” sets the stage for Maul’s return to the screen, providing context for his rise in the criminal underworld and promising one of the darkest and most compelling entries in the Star Wars animated universe. The miniseries is available for pre-order at local comic shops, with interior artwork and covers previewed on Marvel.com.
The new animated series will premiere on Disney+ in 2026.
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