Darth Maulis finally getting his ownStar Warsshow, one that could finally see the former Sith facingDarth Vaderin the official canon. While Maul was Darth Sidious' first Sith apprentice, Vader was his last. However, there is a period in theStar Warstimeline when both Sith Lords were active at the same time, and could have crossed blood crimson blades.
Releasing next year from Lucasfilm Animation,Maul: Shadow Lordwill be the firstStar Warsseries to star a villain, exploring Maul’s activities after the Clone Wars, leading the Crimson Dawn from the shadows. No longer a Sith, it’s going to be fascinating to see how Maul chooses to operate within the Empire his old master has built.That said, the new Darth Maul is also a very exciting opportunity to finally pay off one of the best stories fromStar WarsLegends, and a previously missed opportunity to have Maul and Darth Vader fight in the established canon.
Darth Maul and Darth Vader Once Fought in Star Wars Legends
The Non-Canonical Star Wars Tales
As seen in the non-canonical anthology seriesStar Wars Talesback in 2001, the series' ninth issue presented a short story entitled “Resurrection” written by Ron Marz with art by Rick Leonardi. In it, three dark side adepts believe Darth Vader to be an unworthy apprentice for Emperor Palpatine due to his past as a Jedi.As such, they lure Vader to a remote lava world before revealing that they’ve brought Maul back to life, believing him to be the superior apprentice for Darth Sidious.
Agreeing to a fight to the death,Vader and Maul have quite an impressive lightsaber duelin this Legends story. Maul taunts Vader the entire time, believing that his successor does not have enough hate as he’s “more machine than man”.However, Vader ultimately emerges the victor, cutting Maul’s double-bladed saber in two before stabbing himself through the side, catching Maul by surprise and ending his life once more, revealing that his own self-hatred provided more than enough fuel in the dark side for Vader to best Maul.
Shadow Lord Can Finally Make Maul vs Vader A Canonical Reality
Set During The Dark Times
Now, the upcomingShadow Lordseries can finally make Darth Maul vs Darth Vader happen in the officialStar Warscanon. Set during the Dark Times of the Empire’s rule, Maul will be running Crimson Dawn in this new series, thoughexclusiveMaul: Shadow Lordfootage from Star Wars Celebration 2025has teased that Maul will likely take on an apprentice who looks to be a young canon version of Legends' Darth Talon. However, Lord Vader and his Imperial Inquisitors are out hunting Jedi survivors and Force sensitives during this period as well.
As such, the odds feel good that Maul and Vader might run into each other, especially if Palpatine wishes to know why large portions of the galactic underworld are so organized.Likewise, a confrontation between Maul and Vader would also pay off Maul’s original hopes of destroying Anakin Skywalker at the end of the Clone Wars, having foreseen that Vader was the key to his old master’s plans. Additionally,Maul’s voice actor Sam Witwerhas teased thatShadow Lordwill have Maul questioning the final result that is Palpatine’s Empire. Perhaps this could include a direct duel with Sidious' new apprentice?
Maul and Darth Vader Nearly Fought In Star Wars Rebels
On The Sith World of Malachor
It’s also worth noting that the finale ofStar Wars Rebelsseason 2 was the closest Maul and Vader have been to encountering each other in the officialStar Warscanon. Both were on the Sith world of Malachor, though Maul was busy dueling Kanan Jarrus whileVader found himself dueling his old apprentice Ahsoka Tanoat the top of an ancient Sith superweapon.That said,Maul:Shadow Lordcertainly feels like the best chance there’s ever been to see Darth Maul and Darth Vader fighting each other in the established continuity (so fingers are crossed).
Maul: Shadow Lordis set to release in 2026 on Disney+
