Deborah Chow Dismisses Darth Maul Rumors In Obi-Wan Kenobi Show

The upcoming live-action Star Wars series, Obi-Wan Kenobi, will reintroduce Ewan McGregor‘s titular Jedi. The forthcoming Disney+ drama will take place a decade after Star

By Akshay Sharma
April 27,2022
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The upcoming live-action Star Wars series, Obi-Wan Kenobi, will reintroduce Ewan McGregor‘s titular Jedi. The forthcoming Disney+ drama will take place a decade after Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, during the Empire’s reign of terror over the galaxy. As a result, the much-anticipated rematch between Hayden Christensen’s Darth Vader and Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan will be seen.

Before Vader was confirmed as the show’s antagonist, it was rumored that another significant villain linked to Obi-Wan would be added instead. Darth Maul, played by Ray Park, was thought to be a major opponent. In Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, Maul was the Sith Lord who killed Obi-Jedi Wan’s Master Qui-Gon Jinn. A Lucasfilm executive, on the other hand, dismissed the report, claiming that “bulls—t has been spilled.” Now, as the premiere of the show approaches, Obi-Wan Kenobi’s director has weighed in on the Darth Maul fiasco.

Deborah Chow Explains The Scrap

Deborah Chow
Deborah Chow

Deborah Chow, the director of Obi-Wan Kenobi, spoke with Total Film, through Gamesradar, about Darth Maul’s original inclusion in the Disney+ series. Darth Maul was originally planned to appear in the programme, but the notion was nixed owing to a creative revamp behind the scenes, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Despite the claim, Chow clarified that “[they] never had Darth Maul” in any of the show’s plans, noting out that showrunner Dave Filoni did a “great job of portraying that tale before” on The Mandalorian and Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

“We’ve never had Darth Maul in any of it while I’ve been involved. Dave [Filoni] has already done an excellent job of conveying that story.”

Maul’s narrative was brought to a close in Star Wars Rebels, with the villain finally being beaten by Obi-Wan, resulting in a peaceful death. Chow revealed that she drew inspiration from Obi-Wan Kenobi’s early development, claiming that Maul was never mentioned:

“There were only certain things that made sense in where [Obi-Wan] is for anyone trying to construct a story in the middle of these two trilogies.”

Chow went on to explain that bringing Darth Vader onto the show “was not taken lightly,” but that telling the narrative of Obi-Wan and Vader made sense because it’s a “very profound chapter” in the titular Jedi’s life:

“With so many historic elements, the decision to include Vader was not taken lightly. It’s been ten years since the release of Revenge Of The Sith. Where did Obi-Wan begin his journey? What has been significant in his life? Anakin and Vader have played a significant role in his life. We came to the conclusion that he was telling the truth when he told this narrative. And Vader throws such a terrible shadow in this that adding Maul to the mix may be too much.”

Will Darth Ever Make A Return?

Obi-Wan Kenobi Show Was Originally All Set To Feature Darth Maul And Not Vader
Obi-Wan Kenobi Show Was Originally All Set To Feature Darth Maul And Not Vader

Due to the villain’s interaction with the titular Jedi in The Phantom Menace, Darth Maul‘s appearance in the program makes narrative sense. Fans would have seen a very different rematch related to Qui-Gon Jinn’s death during the first prequel film if the scenario had been carried out.

Many people believe that Lucasfilm made the right decision by scrapping Maul and replacing him with Vader as Obi-Wan Kenobi’s main antagonist. This is because, as seen in Star Wars Rebels, ardent Star Wars fans already know the conclusion between Maul and Kenobi.

Maul and Kenobi had a brief but fierce lightsaber combat in Rebels, which resulted in the former’s death. Maul appears to be at peace with his loss before his death, declaring that the Chosen One (Luke Skywalker) will “avenge us.”

According to the source, having Maul appear in Obi-Wan Kenobi would lessen the emotional impact of his resolution in Rebels. The Mandalorian’s Dave Filoni is well aware of this. Instead, focusing on Vader creates a more compelling tale with a deeper emotional impact due to Anakin and Obi-illustrious Wan’s past.

Vader As The Perfect Antagonist

Darth Vader (Hayden Christensen) in Lucasfilm’s OBI-WAN KENOBI, exclusively on Disney+

Darth Maul’s story was brought to a sad conclusion during Star Wars Rebels; therefore another appearance around the same timeframe could invalidate that lovely finish.

Darth Maul is not featured in the planning stages of the play as long as Deborah Chow is participating, according to Deborah Chow. It’s probable that Darth Maul was part of the concept when Chow and writer Joby Harold entered the project during Obi-early Wan’s development. but it evolved once Chow and writer Joby Harold entered the project. Despite the absence of Maul in the upcoming season, Obi-Wan will encounter a diverse cast of villains. Apart from Vader, the Inquisitors and the entire Stormtrooper army remain serious dangers to the Jedi Master.

Darth Vader was the better choice than Maul, owing to the long relationship between Hayden Christensen’s character and Obi-Wan Kenobi. This choice also provides for a more compelling plot, as witnessing two former buddies go at it again on the tiny screen would be an appropriate presentation.

On May 27, the first two episodes of Obi-Wan Kenobi will premiere on Disney+.