We Already Know How Darth Maul’s Story Ends (Why Shadow Lord Still Matters)

Although we already know where Darth Maul’s journey ultimately ends in the Star Wars timeline, the upcoming Maul: Shadow Lord series is still incredibly important. Set to release in just a few months, Shadow Lord promises to reveal new chapters in Maul's journey we've never seen before (and are absolutely crucial).

Following his presumed death in 1999's The Phantom Menace, the animated Clone Wars series revealed that Maul had survived being cut in half by Obi-Wan Kenobi through sheer force of will and the work of the dark side itself. Maul then became a major threat during the Clone Wars, culminating in the Siege of Mandalore.

That said, Maul's other major appearance was in Star Wars Rebels, with several years having passed since the Clone Wars' end. Keeping that in mind, here's why Shadow Lord is going to matter so much for Maul's Star Wars story.

Star Wars Rebels Revealed Darth Maul's True End 9 Years Ago, A Final Duel With Obi-Wan Kenobi

Star Wars Rebels revealed Darth Maul’s true end back in 2017 with the episode "Twin Suns." After years of searching, Maul finally finds Obi-Wan Kenobi on Tatooine, sensing his mission on the desert world and that he was protecting someone important (Luke Skywalker).

Naturally, this prompts Obi-Wan to ignite his lightsaber, granting Maul the duel he'd long desired. That said, Maul and Obi-Wan's duel was intentionally brief and altogether tragic. Kenobi delivers the killing strike after only three key blows before holding Maul as he dies, recognizing in his final moments that the one Obi-Wan is protecting will avenge them both by destroying the Sith.

It's a huge Star Wars moment, one that defines Maul's entire life in tragedy, having been manipulated by the dark side from day one as Palpatine's pawn before ultimately being betrayed, while simultaneously being crushed by his own ambition/obsession.

However, there's still so much of Darth Maul's story that we don't yet know, explaining why Shadow Lord is so highly anticipated by Star Wars fans.

Why Shadow Lord Is Still So Important For Maul's Star Wars Journey

Shadow Lord still matters because we're finally going to see how Maul survived the Empire in the first place.

The series is set to explore Maul adapting to Imperial rule, evading Inquisitors as the Emperor wants him dead, while also attempting to rebuild power through the criminal underworld with Crimson Dawn. Major gaps will be filled in where Maul sought to carve out his own base of power in the galaxy he'd held onto for years before Rebels.

By the time Maul appears in Rebels, there's an implication that he's no longer leading Crimson Dawn, choosing instead to give in to his obsession, hunting Kenobi before going after his former master. As such, Shadow Lord can specifically show how and why Maul either gave up (or lost) his power in the underworld.

Shadow Lord is also teasing that Maul will attempt to take on a new apprentice with a Twi'lek Jedi survivor who may become Darth Talon from Legends. As such, whatever happens there will likely inform Maul's future attempts to make Ezra Bridger his apprentice in Rebels.

Regardless, it's evident that Shadow Lord will be absolutely crucial to explaining the true tragedy of Maul's Star Wars journey in full, a key middle chapter we've long been without.

Maul: Shadow Lord is set to begin streaming April 6th on Disney+.