Darth Maul, one of the most memorable villains in the Star Wars saga, has a rich and intriguing history. First introduced in Star Wars: Episode I—The Phantom Menace, Maul appeared to have been defeated by Jedi Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi. However, his subsequent journey is both captivating and fascinating. Despite his role as an antagonist, Maul is at his core a survivor, determined to make a name for himself in the galaxy, particularly during the Clone Wars. His narrative is characterized by heartache, determination, and disappointment, as each trial he endures adds another layer to his tormented soul.
While the conclusion of Maul's story has already been revealed, there remains a significant period of his life that has yet to be explored, a gap that will undoubtedly be addressed in the future. Although major events in Maul's life have been depicted, his early days as a Sith apprentice and his eventual downfall as the leader of the Crimson Dawn organization remain enigmatic. In due time, light will be shed on these events, but until then, it is worth noting that Maul has already wreaked havoc in various titles, making it essential for fans to have a comprehensive understanding of this legendary Star Wars antagonist.
17 Star Wars: Episode I—The Phantom Menace
16 The Clone Wars: Season 3, Episode 14 – “Witches of the Mist”
The Rise of Darth Maul: From Merchandise Phenomenon to Unexpected Return
While "Witches of the Mist" primarily focuses on Asajj Ventress seeking revenge against her former master, Count Dooku, the episode concludes with Savage Opress finding his way back to Mother Talzin on the planet of Dathomir. Throughout his journey, he was relentlessly pursued by both the Jedi and Dooku's forces. Mother Talzin assures Savage that his brother will guide him, but he must first locate him. The episode's climactic moments reveal that Savage's brother is none other than Darth Maul. This marks the first official confirmation in the Star Wars universe that Darth Maul survived his defeat in The Phantom Menace.
15 The Clone Wars: Season 4, Episode 21 – “Brothers”
"Brothers" follows Savage Opress on his journey to the desolate planet of Lotho Minor in search of his long-lost brother, Darth Maul. Upon finding Maul, Opress discovers a broken and tormented soul, haunted by years of isolation and teetering on the brink of insanity. Maul's once powerful physique now resembles a spider, with his legs reconstructed from discarded materials, while his overgrown horns and emaciated form add to his disheveled appearance. Despite the confusion in his words, Maul briefly regains clarity, revealing his relentless desire for vengeance against Obi-Wan Kenobi.
14 The Clone Wars: Season 4, Episode 22 – “Revenge”
In "Revenge," Maul's mind and legs are restored by Mother Talzin on Dathomir. Realizing that the Clone War has commenced in his absence, Maul promptly devises a plan to reenter the galaxy. In his relentless pursuit of vengeance, Maul and Savage decimate a village on the outer rim in order to entrap Obi-Wan, ultimately succeeding in capturing the Jedi Master. By a stroke of unusual fortune, Asajj Ventress comes to Kenobi's rescue, with Obi-Wan even resorting to wielding a temporary red lightsaber to fend off the formidable brothers. The episode culminates with Maul harboring the desire for the Jedi to pursue him, relishing the opportunity to eliminate his adversaries.
13 The Clone Wars: Season 5, Episode 1 – “Revival”
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The Clone Wars season 5 premiere sees Maul and Savage try to recruit Hondo Ohnaka's army of pirates while being pursued by Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi and Adi Gallia, the latter of whom perishes at the blade of Savage. This rematch between the two foes causes Maul to rethink how he will go about getting his revenge, realizing it’s a long game he has to play if he wants to defeat Kenobi. Maul and Savage escape Florum, but their injuries and damaged vessel leave them in a precarious state.
12 The Clone Wars: Season 5, Episode 14 – “Eminence”
The Clone Wars season 5 premiere showcases Maul and Savage's attempt to enlist Hondo Ohnaka's pirate army while evading Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi and Adi Gallia, the latter meeting her demise at Savage's hands. This confrontation prompts Maul to reconsider his approach in seeking vengeance, recognizing the need for a strategic long-term plan to overcome Kenobi. Maul and Savage manage to flee Florum, but their physical wounds and a damaged ship leave them in a perilous situation.
12 The Clone Wars: Season 5, Episode 14 – “Eminence”
Maul's ascent to power on Mandalore is the highlight of The Clone Wars season 5. In the episode "Eminence," we witness how he masterfully manipulates Death Watch to serve his own objectives and unite various crime syndicates under his leadership. It is Maul's formidable presence that compels these different criminal factions to join forces with him in the Shadow Collective. Although he assures Pre Vizsla, the leader of Death Watch, that together they will conquer Mandalore, Maul secretly plots to seize control for himself.
11 The Clone Wars: Season 5, Episode 15 – “Shades of Reason”
“Shades of Reason” witnesses the successful execution of Maul's strategy to take control of Mandalore, as Death Watch manages to gain the support of the Mandalorian people by orchestrating a coup. However, Vizsla betrays Maul and has him imprisoned, but with the help of Savage, Maul easily escapes. As the final step of his plan to seize power, Maul challenges Vizsla to a one-on-one duel and brutally beheads him, establishing himself as the rightful ruler of Mandalore. However, Bo-Katan Kryze challenges Maul's ownership of the Darksaber, leading her and other loyalists of Mandalore to flee and prepare for an imminent civil war.
10 The Clone Wars: Season 5, Episode 16 – “The Lawless”
In "The Lawless," Obi-Wan valiantly attempts to rescue Duchess Satine, but his efforts are foiled by Maul during their escape. In a heart-wrenching moment, Maul chokes and kills Satine while Obi-Wan can only watch helplessly, leading to his imprisonment. To seek assistance from the Republic in the midst of a violent conflict, Bo-Katan intervenes to save Obi-Wan. The arrival of Maul's former master, Darth Sidious, on Mandalore creates a disturbance in the Force. Sidious declares Maul as an enemy and engages in a breathtaking lightsaber duel, ultimately killing Savage. Maul is defeated and captured by Sidious, who he pleas for mercy. However, his subsequent escape remains untold as it was part of an unaired storyline for The Clone Wars season 6.
9 The Clone Wars: Season 7, Episode 8 – “Together Again”
8 The Clone Wars: Season 7, Episode 10 – “The Phantom Apprentice”
The Martez sisters' story arc concludes by unveiling the Pykes' affiliation with the notorious underworld figure Darth Maul. Ahsoka Tano, a former Jedi Padawan, learns of this revelation and is approached by Bo-Katan Kryze, who aims to liberate her home planet from Maul's oppressive rule. This development sets the stage for the final installment of The Clone Wars series and seamlessly leads into the events of Order 66.
In "The Phantom Apprentice," we witness the climax of the Siege of Mandalore as Darth Maul is eventually apprehended by Ahsoka Tano. A captured Maul warns Ahsoka about the impending downfall of the Republic, claiming that Anakin Skywalker has been primed to be Darth Sidious' next apprentice. As the battle reaches its pinnacle atop the domed structure of the capital city, Maul desperately implores Tano and the clone troopers to end his life, fearing a fate worse than death. This episode showcases Maul's strategic brilliance, uncovering that the siege was a final attempt to eliminate Anakin and thwart Sidious' plans of acquiring his prized student.
7 The Clone Wars: Season 7, Episode 11 – “Shattered”
The penultimate episode of The Clone Wars features the execution of Order 66, where Maul's heightened Force sensitivity allows him to anticipate the impending shift. Saving him from certain death, Ahsoka Tano releases Maul to divert the attention of the clone troopers aboard their cruiser. While Maul grumbles about not being able to borrow a lightsaber from Ahsoka, he effortlessly annihilates clones using wall panels, creating one of the most brutal and intense sequences in the series.
6 The Clone Wars: Season 7, Episode 12 – “Victory and Death”
The focus of the final episode of The Clone Wars centers around Ahsoka Tano and Captain Rex's desperate attempt to escape from the 322nd clones. While Maul served as a distraction in the previous episode, he escalates the problems in "Victory and Death" by disabling the cruiser's hyperdrive, causing the ship to hurtle towards an unnamed moon. Adding to the heroes' troubles, Maul seizes the last remaining shuttle they intended to use for their getaway, subsequently vanishing into hyperspace to assert his dominance from the shadows.
5 Solo: A Star Wars Story
4 Star Wars Rebels: Season 2, Episodes 21 and 22 – “Twilight of the Apprentice Parts 1 and 2”
appeared briefly in Solo: A Star Wars Story, making only his second appearance in live-action. Ray Park reprised his role physically, while Sam Witwer provided the voice. In the film, it is revealed that Maul leads the Crimson Dawn crime syndicate and establishes direct contact with Qi’ra following the demise of her previous master, Dryden Vos. Although this storyline has not been further explored since the release of the movie, there is potential for delving into more of Maul’s collaboration with Qi’ra in future content.
Darth Maul makes his first appearance in Star Wars Rebels, where he crosses paths with Ahsoka Tano, Jedi Knight Kanan Jarrus, and Jedi Padawan Ezra Bridger. Together, they venture to the Sith world of Malachor. Acting as a malevolent influence, Maul guides Ezra in obtaining a Sith Holocron and attempts to groom him as his new apprentice. In a shocking turn of events, Maul deceives Kanan, causing him to lose his sight. Ultimately, Kanan triumphs over Maul in a brief duel, but Maul manages to flee Malachor when Darth Vader arrives.
3 Star Wars Rebels: Season 3, Episode 3 – “Holocrons of Fate”
The return of Darth Maul resulted in a collaboration between him and Ezra Bridger, as they joined forces to unlock the knowledge they were seeking by combining Sith and Jedi Holocrons. Both discovered that Obi-Wan Kenobi held the answers they were looking for, although Maul viewed him as a means for revenge, while Ezra saw him as the key to eradicating the Sith. During the episode, Ezra's distrust towards Maul became evident due to his previous betrayal on Malachor, which intensified when Maul took the other members of the Ghost crew hostage and attempted to kill Kanan once again. The merging of the Holocrons provided a glimpse into what awaited Maul in Rebels, as Ezra caught a vision of "twin suns."
2 Star Wars Rebels: Season 3, Episode 11 – “Visions and Voices”
In the episode "Visions and Voices," Maul brings Ezra to Dathomir, his home planet, to delve deeper into their shared vision that stemmed from the merging of the Holocrons. With the aid of a potion crafted by a Nightsister, they are able to fully experience the vision. During this revelation, it is unveiled that Maul still possesses the Darksaber, a symbol of his past reign over Mandalore. Additionally, a poignant mosaic displaying Duchess Satine Kryze with her eyes gouged out signifies Maul's enduring hatred for Obi-Wan Kenobi. Utilizing the guidance of the Nightsister spirits, Maul acquires knowledge of Obi-Wan's hideout, fueling his determination to seek his ultimate revenge. This relentless pursuit grants Sabine Wren an opportunity to retrieve the Darksaber from the cave.
1 Star Wars Rebels: Season 3, Episode 20 – “Twin Suns”
Maul's journey to Tatooine in search of Obi-Wan Kenobi in the iconic episode "Twin Suns" is a significant moment in Rebels. Joined by Ezra Bridger, they confront the Jedi Master, with Maul using Ezra's despair to draw Kenobi out. A thrilling lightsaber duel ensues, resulting in Kenobi delivering a fatal blow to Maul. However, in his last moments, Maul learns that Kenobi is in exile to protect Luke Skywalker, the future hope for the galaxy. Maul's tragic story highlights the consequences of being raised by the dark side and the inability to see a different path. The gaps in Maul's story will likely be explored in future Star Wars titles, showcasing his transformation from a character presumed dead to one of the most complex figures in the franchise.