The Mind-Blowing Showdown You Never Knew Existed Between Darth Maul and Vader in Star Wars Rebels!

Summary

Darth Maul's duel with Darth Vader was originally planned for the Star Wars Rebels season 2 finale but was cut for being unwieldy and lacking emotional material.

Having Vader and Maul engage in a duel would have diminished the significance of the main conflict between Ahsoka and Vader, which served as the episode's emotional centerpiece. Instead, Maul's narrative in Rebels gained more strength by emphasizing his rivalry with Obi-Wan Kenobi and his role as a tempter for Ezra, rather than prioritizing a flashy fight with Vader.

Darth Maul had a planned duel with Darth Vader in the Star Wars Rebels season 2 finale, but it was ultimately cut from the final version. When Ahsoka Tano, Kanan Jarrus, and Ezra Bridger visited the Sith world Malachor, Maul became involved in the situation. Known for causing chaos, the ex-Sith Lord's true intentions remained unclear as he formed an uneasy alliance with the two Jedi and part-timer. After easily defeating the Inquisitors, Maul revealed his true nature by blinding Kanan, leading to a confrontation with Vader and Ahsoka.

"Twilight of the Apprentice" is an intense episode, filled with action, emotion, and challenges for the heroes, as one would expect in a dark side stronghold. Arguably one of the most significant stories in Star Wars, the two-part finale marked a turning point for the franchise, bringing an end to the Inquisitorius and showcasing the consequences of Ahsoka Tano fighting her former master. Maul's return set Kanan and Ezra on their respective paths for season 3 and also set the stage for his own ultimate storyline, although his role in Rebels was initially intended to be more limited.

Vader Originally Killed Maul In Star Wars Rebels

In the original plan for "Twilight of the Apprentice," Vader was supposed to defeat Maul, resulting in Maul's death. However, Rebels creator Dave Filoni, in a 2017 interview with Gizmodo, disclosed an alternative fate for Maul. Despite this, Filoni considered this alternate outcome to be insignificant and distracting to the overall story.

"In the season two finale, Maul was initially meant to perish upon his return. It was intended as a one-time appearance. So originally, in that episode, Vader would have fought and ultimately killed Maul before confronting Ahsoka. However, we found that juggling multiple storylines became cumbersome, and the emotional connection between Vader and Maul was lacking. The true emotional conflict lay between Vader and Ahsoka. Consequently, we made the decision to spare Maul's life."

The names appearing together and the concept of a story where all the heavyweight characters fight each other easily proves that Filoni made the correct decision. Maul has always played a crucial role in the Star Wars universe, but he does not have any emotional connection to Vader. The confrontation between Ahsoka and Vader is the most valuable aspect of the story, and having Maul participate in a duel prior to that would weaken its impact.

Based on the subsequent stories after "Twilight of the Apprentice," it has become more plausible for Vader and Maul to have a duel at some point. "Solo: A Star Wars Story" revealed that Maul was leading the Crimson Dawn crime syndicate just seven years prior to season 2 of "Rebels." Something significant must have happened to send Maul into exile on Malachor, and his deep hatred and fear of Vader suggest that a battle between the two could be the cause. Considering Maul's plan to kill Anakin Skywalker during the Siege of Mandalore and save the galaxy from Vader, there is now emotional weight for a duel between these pawns of Sidious in a separate story.

Darth Maul's Rebels Story Was Perfect Without A Vader Duel

Instead of having a flashy and exciting duel between Maul and Vader, the decision to focus on Maul's nemesis, Obi-Wan Kenobi, in Rebels was a perfect and masterful storytelling choice. Ending their journey where it began on Tatooine was not only fitting but also demonstrated Kenobi's growth compared to Maul's inability to evolve. Maul's presence also served as a temptation for Ezra, highlighting his inexperience and the importance of Kanan and Obi-Wan's teachings. By reducing Maul's role to a cameo in "Twilight of the Apprentice," it allowed for a more emotional and impactful story to be told, which better served the overall narrative of Star Wars Rebels.