Star Wars’upcoming TV show,Maul: Shadow Lord, will solidify that it’s time forStar Warsmovies and TV showsto break some of George Lucas' biggest rules. Although details aboutShadow Lordremain sparse at present, the title alone provides some hints as to what’s coming.
For one, it’s notable that the show dropped the ‘Darth’ title for Maul, signaling that he is firmly no longer a Sith. We also know that this show will be set sometime before season 3 ofStar Wars RebelsintheStar Warstimeline, given Maul’s death in that show.
‘Shadow Lord’ also means we will get a closer look at Maul’s role as a crime boss, which was briefly shown inSolo: A Star Wars Story. That may not be much to go on, yet it’s enough to reveal thatShadow Lordwill prove it’s more than time forStar Warsto deviate from George Lucas' traditions.
Star Wars' Darth Maul TV Show Is Centered On Palpatine’s Former Apprentice
George Lucas' Emphasis On Heroes' Journeys Just Wasn’t Enough Anymore
Since the beginning,Star Warshas focused on heroes' journeys, most notably with Luke Skywalker throughout the original trilogy. Even in the prequel trilogy, which mapped out Anakin Skywalker’s fall to the dark side and provided much greater insight into the Sith, Anakin’s eventual redemption was on the horizon.
Since the beginning,Star Warshas focused on heroes' journeys.
Clearly,Shadow Lordis about to be a significant departure from that long-standing tradition, as it will be the story of Palpatine’s former apprentice finding a new place in the galaxy after ending his time as a Sith. We’ve had some brilliantStar Warsvillains over the years, but we have yet to see an out-and-out villain as a protagonist.
Though Lucas' model focusing on heroes has obviously proven successful in light ofStar Wars’best movies, the hard truth is, it’s long been time forStar Warsto break this rule with villain-led stories. In fact, one of the franchise’s most controversial recent additions underscores just how neededShadow Lordreally is for the future of the franchise.
Star Wars Has Been Building Toward A Villain-Led Show For Years
The Acolyte Didn’t Quite Deliver On This, Making It All The More Needed
Even a year after the show concluded,backlash toThe Acolytecontinues to be a major conversation, and it is unfortunately still regarded by many as one ofStar Wars’worst TV shows. Myriad factors go into both that backlash and those opinions, but one major complaint wasThe Acolyte’sfailure to deliver on its main promise.
The Acolytewas billed as a Sith origin story, yet it ultimately felt like yet another Jedi tale. It was more complicated than some other Jedi/hero stories have been inStar Wars, yes, but it was a far cry from a true Sith or even villain-focused show.
At first, it seemedThe Acolytewas going to be the story of Mae, a Jedi killer, but the show ultimately morphed into an exploration of the Jedi Order’s weaknesses even inthe High Republic Eraand, to a lesser extent, Mae’s sister Osha’s fall to the dark side.
The Acolyte’sendingdid seemingly set up a Sith story, with Qimir taking Osha on as his apprentice and Palpatine’s Sith master, Darth Plagueis, even watching from the shadows. WithThe Acolyte’scancelation, however, we are unlikely to ever get that story, leaving audiences without a trueStar Warsvillain show once again.
Now,Star Warsmay finally be getting that, and it’s likely to be just what the franchise needs right now. IfMaul: Shadow Lordis indeed a success, then it will only shore up the fact thatStar Warsneeds to learn how to break some of George Lucas' biggest rules and move forward.
