Maul’s new Star Wars show finally sets up a canon duel with Darth Vader

A long-awaited moment in Star Wars history is coming soon as Lucasfilm has announced Maul: Shadow Lord, which will premiere on Disney+ in 2026, as Darth Maul is returning in a brand-new animated saga.

The series takes place roughly one year after the events of The Clone Wars and captures Maul's attempts to reconstruct his criminal empire, under its watchful eye, and train a new apprentice. However, the big news is that for the first time in official Star Wars canon, Maul is expected to finally face off against Darth Vader in a direct lightsaber combat duel.

Although fans have witnessed their conflicts unfold in stories set in an expanded universe, this might be the first time the duel is included in the canon. This battle is now part of Star Wars history, so it won't be a beloved graphic novel or comic legend.

For enthusiasts who’ve waited years for these two dark lords to clash, this could be a monumental shift. So, keep reading to explore why this duel matters now and what it could mean for the galaxy far, far away.

Why has Maul vs Vader never happened in the Star Wars Canon so far?

One thing that many might wonder is why there hasn't been a Maul vs. Vader in the canon. So, if you've been wondering the same, here are the reasons:

Separate paths, same master: While both Maul and Vader trained under Darth Sidious, their story arcs never directly crossed in canon. Maul was ousted after The Phantom Menace, only to resurface via comic books and cartoon series, while Vader rose to power following Order 66.

Non-canonical battles aren’t official: In the Legends universe, Maul and Vader dueled in the Star Wars Tales comic, known as the “Duel on Kalakar Six,” where Vader ultimately stabbed both himself and Maul before surviving. This story, while exciting, doesn’t belong to official canon.

Canon’s strict timeline: Disney’s reset of Star Wars continuity in 2014 meant that everything outside of movies, Clone Wars, and Rebels was decanonized. That included the comic duel. So until now, there’s never been an approved showdown between them, just wishful thinking and expanded‑universe head‑canon.

However, Maul: Shadow Lord changes that entirely. It could be the first time an official storyline connects Maul and Vader in a lightsaber face‑off.

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What the new animated series Maul: Shadow Lord could reveal and why it matters

The Star Wars animated series, Maul: Shadow Lord, is expected to take place about a year after The Clone Wars. At this point, Maul is trying to rebuild his criminal network, Crimson Dawn, and train a new apprentice. Some rumors suggest the apprentice could be a Twi’lek, possibly inspired by Darth Talon, though that isn’t confirmed.

As Maul rises in power again, he naturally draws attention from the Empire. That’s likely what brings Darth Vader into the picture. While their paths haven’t crossed in canon before, this show seems designed to finally bring them face to face.

This duel isn’t just about power; it’s personal. Vader represents control and loyalty to the Emperor, while Maul is all about revenge and rebellion. Their fight could reveal more about how different they’ve become, even though they were both trained by Darth Sidious.

The show’s animation will be done by the same team behind The Clone Wars, and Sam Witwer is returning to voice Maul. That means fans can expect high-quality action, storytelling, and a showdown that could change Star Wars canon forever.

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