At Last, We Will Have Revenge: Lucasfilm Drops Gritty New Trailer for ‘Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord’

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Lucasfilm is officially entering the “Age of Maul.” Following months of anticipation since its surprise announcement at Star Wars Celebration 2025, a new trailer and poster have been released for the upcoming animated series, Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord.

Set to premiere on Disney+ this April, the series marks the return of the fan-favorite former Sith apprentice in a story that promises to be the darkest and most “pulpy” entry in the animated galaxy to date.

The Story: A Galaxy in the Shadows

Created by Dave Filoni and developed alongside Matt Michnovetz (Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order), Shadow Lord takes place approximately one year after the events of The Clone Wars. While the Galactic Empire tightens its grip on the core worlds, Maul is a man on the run, battered but fueled by an unquenchable rage.

The series finds Maul on Janix—a planet largely ignored by the Imperial reach—where he begins the brutal work of rebuilding his criminal syndicate, Crimson Dawn. However, his plans for vengeance against Darth Sidious take an unexpected turn when he encounters Devon Izara, a disillusioned Jedi Padawan hiding from the Purge. Maul sees in her more than just an ally; he sees a “weapon”—a potential apprentice who could help him shatter the Empire.

A Voice Cast of Legends and Newcomers

The series sees the triumphant return of Sam Witwer, whose performance as Maul in The Clone Wars and Rebels defined the character for a generation. Witwer is joined by a star-studded ensemble:

  • Gideon Adlon as Devon Izara, the Padawan caught between her Jedi teachings and Maul’s dark promises.

  • Dennis Haysbert as Master Eeko-Dio-Daki, Devon’s protector who remains wary of the “enemy of my enemy.”

  • Wagner Moura as Captain Brander Lawson, an Imperial officer hunting Maul.

  • Richard Ayoade as Two-Boots, a droid partner to Lawson.

  • Vanessa Marshall returning as the Mandalorian warrior Rook Kast.

A New Visual Identity

Fans of the clean, 3D-CG style of The Bad Batch are in for a surprise. Shadow Lord introduces a “messier,” more noir-inspired aesthetic. Early reactions to the trailer describe the look as a “heavy-metal evolution” of previous shows, leaning into a “Claymation-meets-live-action” grit that reflects the underworld setting.

Supervising director Brad Rau and executive producers including Carrie Beck and Josh Rimes appear to be pushing the boundaries of the medium, with scenes in the trailer described as bordering on a “slasher flick” as Maul carves his way through the Imperial Inquisitorius—specifically the Eleventh Brother (known as “The Crow”) and the mysterious Marrok.

Release Schedule

Disney+ is opting for a rapid-fire release strategy to celebrate the spring season. The 10-episode series will debut with two episodes on April 6, 2026, followed by two episodes every week. The finale is perfectly timed to land on May 4th, otherwise known as Star Wars Day.

As the tagline for the series suggests: “Chains can be broken. Empires can be shattered.” For Maul fans, the long wait to see the Shadow Lord’s rise is finally almost over.

About John Schwarz

John is the Chief Editor and Founder of Bubbleblabber.com. While at first a part-time project, Bubbleblabber quickly grew into a full-fledged operation and officially became a company in 2014. When John isn't running a business full-time, he likes to go to concerts with your mother.