This article contains spoilers for Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace
Star Warscreator George Lucas originally planned to replace the notorious Darth Vader within the post-Empire galaxy by ushering in an overpowered version of a popular antagonist. Darth Vader is a legendary villain in pop culture who needs no introduction, being famously voiced by the late, great James Earl Jones, with a devastating backstory portrayed in live-action by fan-favorite Hayden Christensen. The character is a formidable force inStar Warslore and is considered to be one of the greatest villains to ever grace pop culture, which is why Lucas’ initial plans to replace him are surprising to learn.
TheStar Warsfranchise has had its fair share of successful hits or resounding misses throughout the last few decades, and the Disney seriesAndorwas the former and a masterclass in the eyes of fans. The series gained such critical acclaim thatAndorcreator Tony Gilroy weighed in on Marvel’s downturnover the past few years, and fans listened to see how his success withStar Warscould shed some light on the MCU’s shortcomings.Andoris now complete after its two-season run, but there’s plenty for fans to look forward to, whether through upcoming projects or interesting tidbits from past projects.
Star Wars' George Lucas Was Originally Going to Replace Darth Vader With Darth Maul
Revealing all in Paul Duncan’s bookThe Star Wars Archives 1999-2005(via ComicBook), Lucas outlined his original plans to seeThe Phantom Menacevillain Darth Maul and his new apprentice, Darth Talon, succeed Darth Vader throughout the post-Empire galaxy. Lucas wanted to take a break from the Galactic Civil War and dive back into the criminal underworld by putting Darth Maul at the helm as a scheming crime lord. To add toDarth Maul’s eye-catching tattoos, Lucas was going to go a step further and make the antagonist “a bit bigger, more of a superhero,” by adding spider-like cybernetic legs, referencing theStar Wars: The Clone Warsanimated series, to solidify him as a fearsome foe to be reckoned with. “The key person [in the sequels] is Darth Maul, who had been resurrected in the Clone Wars cartoons – he brings all the gangs together,” Lucas noted.
The key person [in the sequels] is Darth Maul, who had been resurrected in theClone Warscartoons – he brings all the gangs together.
The first film of the sequel trilogy (also referred to as the prequels) is a divisive entry in theStar Warsfilmography, andThe Phantom Menacefans are still discovering twists 25 years later. Darth Maul made his live-action appearance in this entry, dueling Liam Neeson’s Qui-Gon Jinn and Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan Kenobi. Despite being cut in half by the latter, Darth Maul later returned in theClone Warsseries, which takes place betweenAttack of the ClonesandRevenge of the Sith, and Lucas’ original vision would have certainly put an impressive spin on the villain.
After the Disney showsAndor,The Acolyte, andSkeleton Crew,Star Warsfans have lots to anticipate on the silver screen as well. Despite beginning as a popular series, Pedro Pascal’sThe Mandalorianarc is expected to conclude through a feature film, and don’t worry, Grogu will be coming along for the lightspeed ride too.The Mandalorian & Grogumay even stretch into a trilogyif recent rumors are anything to go by, and Disney will be monitoring the box office numbers closely to gauge if its continuation is a possibility.
