The former Sith Lord is undeniably back. Lucasfilm Animation finally released the first trailer for “Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord” today. It offers a dark look at the fan-favorite villain’s rise to power during the early days of the Galactic Empire. The footage confirms the show will debut this April on Disney+ with a special two-episode premiere.
Breaking Down the Trailer and Release Date
The wait is finally over for fans of the dark side. Disney announced that “Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord” will premiere on April 6, 2026. The studio plans to release two episodes every week. This aggressive schedule leads directly to a series finale on Star Wars Day, May 4.
The trailer itself sets a gritty tone. It moves away from the grand battles of the prequel films. Instead, it focuses on the dirty underworld of the galaxy.
We see a battered Maul navigating a lawless planet. The animation style appears to match the high quality seen in “The Bad Batch.” It looks polished, cinematic, and deeply atmospheric.
Key Production Details:
- Studio: Lucasfilm Animation
- Head Writer: Matt Michnovetz
- Supervising Director: Brad Rau
- Executive Producer: Athena Yvette Portillo
- Creator: Dave Filoni
Fans instantly recognized the voice of Sam Witwer in the footage. He returns to the role that he defined over the last decade. His vocal performance sounds older and more desperate than in previous iterations. This fits perfectly with a character who has lost everything yet again.
Star Wars Maul Shadow Lord red double lightsaber silhouette
Timeline Revealed for the New Sith Survival Story
This series tackles a very specific gap in the Star Wars timeline. The story takes place roughly one year after “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” concludes. This places it firmly in the “Dark Times” of the Empire’s early reign.
It serves as the missing chapter for the character. We know Maul runs the Crimson Dawn syndicate in “Solo: A Star Wars Story.” However, we never saw how he built that empire from nothing. This show promises to answer that question.
The official synopsis describes the show as a “pulpy adventure.” It suggests a shift in genre for the franchise.
“Maul plots to rebuild his criminal syndicate on a planet untouched by the Empire. There, he crosses paths with a disillusioned young Jedi Padawan.”
This plot point is particularly intriguing. Maul is seeking an apprentice to help him exact revenge. The dynamic between a fallen Sith and a broken Jedi offers immense storytelling potential. It mirrors his later obsession with Ezra Bridger in “Star Wars Rebels.”
Voice Cast and Creative Team Behind the Series
The talent roster for this project is surprisingly stacked. Beyond Sam Witwer, the series features award-winning actors.
Wagner Moura joins the cast as Brander Lawson. Moura is best known for his role in “Narcos.” His casting suggests a serious approach to the crime drama elements of the show. He knows how to play dangerous, charismatic leaders.
Richard Ayoade provides the voice for Two-Boots. Ayoade is famous for his comedic timing. His inclusion hints that the show will have moments of levity despite the dark tone.
Gideon Adlon voices Devon Izara. Based on the trailer, she appears to be the “disillusioned Padawan” mentioned in the logs. Her character design looks distinct and survivalist.
It is clear that Lucasfilm wants top-tier talent for this animation. The mixture of dramatic actors and voice veterans creates a unique soundscape.
Connecting the Comics and Expanding the Galaxy
This show is not an isolated event. It is part of a larger multimedia initiative. A Marvel Comics prequel series is set to launch this March.
The comic will focus on the planet Janix. It features the characters Brander Lawson and Two-Boots before the events of the show. This suggests that the supporting cast will have deep backstories.
The comic will likely set the stage for the political situation on the planet. It allows the show to jump straight into the action in April.
Why this matters for the canon:
- Crimson Dawn Origins: We finally see the birth of the syndicate.
- Jedi Purge Survivors: It explores how Padawans survived Order 66.
- Imperial Expansion: We see the Empire encroaching on the Outer Rim.
Maul is a character defined by survival. He survived being cut in half. He survived the Clone Wars. Now he must survive the rise of the Empire. This series looks to be a character study of a villain who refuses to die.
The synergy between the show and the comics shows confidence in the story. Lucasfilm is betting big on this era of the timeline.
The trailer ends with a shot of Maul igniting his double-bladed lightsaber. It is a familiar image, but the context is new. He is not fighting for a master or an army. He is fighting for himself.
“Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord” premieres on Disney+ on April 6, 2026.
