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Since 2019, Kevin Erdmann has been one of Screen Rant's Senior Staff Writers, covering all kinds of Superhero and Star Wars media with Easter egg breakdowns, theory pieces, breaking news, and more. A huge Star Wars & MCU fan, Kevin also loves Batman (because he's Batman), but could talk for hours about why Nightwing is DC's greatest hero.
With 8 years of total experience covering entertainment and pop culture, Kevin has gotten the chance to interview top creatives and talent, and has also attended major media events like Disney's D23 convention.
Majoring in Cinema Studies with a minor in Comics and Cartoon Studies from the UofO, Kevin lives in Oregon with his wonderful wife, adorable dog, and sinister cat who is no doubt currently plotting his demise.
Maul: Shadow Lord is shaping up to be one of the darkest and most exciting animated Star Wars projects in years, which finally puts Darth Maul front and center. Likewise, the show is taking place during a major missing chapter of Maul's Star Wars journey.
Although it was previously confirmed that the show would take place after the Clone Wars during the "Dark Times" of the Empire's rule, that still leaves a relatively wide window. Now that the first trailer for Maul: Shadow Lord has been released, we have a better idea of when exactly this new show is set in the broader Star Wars timeline.
The First Trailer For Maul: Shadow Lord Has Been Released
The official debut trailer for Maul: Shadow Lord is packed with exciting reveals and brutal action.
We see what looks to be the beginnings of Maul's crime syndicate Crimson Dawn, the Imperial regime tightening its grip, and Inquisitors on the hunt for Maul himself. There’s also the exciting tease that Maul may take on a new Twi'lek apprentice named Devon Izara, inspired by George Lucas’ unused Episode VII ideas involving Legends' Darth Talon.
More importantly, the trailer's release helps confirm the show’s placement in canon. The Empire is still consolidating power, while Maul is still building his base of power in the shadows of the criminal underworld.
Combined with proto-stormtrooper armor and early AT-ST models, the show is clearly set much closer to the Clone Wars than it is to Solo: A Star Wars Story or Rebels, Maul's other big appearances during the Dark Times. Additionally, the appearance of the Sixth Brother implies Maul's new story will take place before the Inquisitor's death in Ahsoka Tano's third episode of Tales of the Jedi.
Maul: Shadow Lord Will Be Set One Year After The Clone Wars
Furthermore, Lucasfilm has directly confirmed that Maul: Shadow Lord is set just one year after the end of The Clone Wars.
At the end of the Clone Wars, Maul was shown escaping Ahsoka Tano's custody during Order 66, fleeing to the shadows as the Republic became the Empire ruled by his old master, Darth Sidious. Now, it looks as though Shadow Lord will see Maul grappling with the new galactic order as he seeks to build his own foundation of power.
Solo showed Maul at the height of his power during the Dark Times. Rebels showed Maul without his crime syndicate, having given in to his desire for vengeance against his old master and, more importantly, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Now, Shadow Lord will finally show us how Maul first carved out power for himself during the Dark Times, and how he adapted to the new galactic order.
Maul: Shadow Lord begins streaming April 6th on Disney+.
English (US) ·