For more than two decades, Darth Maul has remained one of the most intriguing Star Wars characters. Introduced as a terrifying Sith assassin inThe Phantom Menace, Maul quickly became one of the most visually recognizable villains in the saga. What started out as a brief appearance in a film eventually turned into one of the most exciting franchise storylines in animation, comics and gaming.

Now this journey is about to enter a new chapter.

Maul: Lord of Shadows is an animated Star Wars series that follows the dark and chaotic years of Maul's life after the fall of the Republic and the rise of the Galactic Empire. The series promises to delve deeper into Maul's transformation from Sith apprentice to powerful shadow figure operating in the galaxy's criminal underworld.

This guide brings together all the information currently known about the series, including production details, trailers, interviews, and lore connections that help fit the story into the overall Star Wars chronology.

Few Star Wars villains have evolved like Darth Maul. Beginning as a silent Sith warrior, he evolved into a tragic, ruthless, and endlessly driven survivor of galactic history. The film “Maul: Lord of Shadows” seems to tell about one of the most mysterious aspects of this path.

Hammer Origins: The Shadowlord Series

Lucasfilm first publicly revealed the project at the 2025 San Diego Comic-Con, where the studio teased a darker animated story focusing on Maul's rise as a crime lord during the early Imperial era.The announcement immediately piqued the interest of Star Wars fans, who have long wanted to know more about Maul's life between The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels.

Full information about the presentation can be found in the article dedicated to the announcement of the game Maul: Shadow Lord at SDCC 2025.

Preliminary production details also indicate that the series may be planned as a multi-season project, signaling Lucasfilm's intention to delve deeper into Maul's story rather than limit itself to a single episode.

An analysis of the possible long-term structure of the series can be found in the analysis of how many seasons Maul: Lord of Shadows could last on Disney+.

Additional preliminary information about the concept of the series and the direction of animation is provided in the overview of everything we know about the animated series "Maul: Lord of Shadows".

When Maul: Lord of Shadows takes place in the Star Wars timeline

One of the most interesting aspects of the series is its place in the Star Wars canon. Early indications are that the series will be set in the early years of the Galactic Empire, after the events of The Clone Wars, but before Maul's return in Star Wars Rebels.

This period of the timeline has always been particularly mysterious to Maul.After being defeated and captured by Darth Sidious during the Clone Wars, Maul disappears from the main storyline for several years before reappearing in the galaxy's criminal underworld.

For a deeper dive into why this particular placement of events in the timeline matters, read our analysis of why the setting of Maul: Lord of Shadows in the year 18 before the Battle of Yavin may be the missing link in Maul's story.

A detailed analysis of this timeline can be found in the article explaining where Maul: Lord of Shadows takes place after the Clone Wars.

The series may also show Maul navigating a galaxy now under Imperial rule, which could potentially bring him into contact with Imperial forces or even the mysterious Inquisitorium.

This possibility is discussed in an article dedicated to the possible appearance of the Empire and the Inquisitorium in the book "Maul: Shadow Lord."

History and the backstory of Darth Maul before the era of the Shadow Lord."

Maul: Lord of Shadows is not just another Star Wars series. It draws on over twenty years of character development across films, animation, and the extended canon.Understanding Maul's motivations and history helps explain why this series is able to explore some of the darker corners of Star Wars storytelling.

You can learn more about the backstory of the character Maul in our overview of the Darth Maul's legacy and history leading up to the emergence of the Shadow Lord.

The creative team behind the series.

Several well-known names from Lucasfilm Animation appear to be involved in the project, suggesting that the series will follows the same storytelling style that made shows like The Clone Warsand The Bad Batch

One of the key creative minds behind the series is screenwriter Matt Michnovec, who has previously worked on several Star Wars animated projects and has extensive story-writing experience at Lucasfilm.

More information about the author can be found in the article about how Matt Michnovetz writes the Maul: Overlord series of books shadows.”

There are also indications that elements of George Lucas's original storytelling philosophy influenced the direction of the series. This connection is explored in an analysis of how George Lucas influenced the plot of Maul: Lord of Shadows.

Meanwhile, longtime Lucasfilm animation studio veteran Brad Rau has reportedly joined to direct the project.Previously, Rau worked on The Bad Batch and other animated projects in the Star Wars universe.

More information can be found in the report thatBrad Rau will direct the animated series "Maul: Overlord" shadows.”

New details about the production process suggest that the series was planned in a more cinematic style, reminiscent of live-action films, while maintaining the mystery that makes Maul such a fascinating character. This balance is explored in an article aboutwhy the Maul: Lord of Shadows series was filmed more in the style of a live-action film.

The series will also feature music by the Keener family, whose compositions have defined the sound of modern Star Wars animation for many years.

You can read more about this collaboration in the article about how Sean and Deana Keener composed the music for the game Maul: Shadow Lord.

Sam Witwer returns as the voice of Darth Maul.

For many fans, Darth Maul's modern legacy is inextricably linked to the performance of actor Sam Witwer.Since The Clone Wars, Witwer has become the defining voice of the character, bringing depth and emotion to what was once a mostly silent villain.

Recent interviews suggest that Witwer remains closely involved with Maul's evolving story and could once again play an important role in the series.

The results of these discussions are presented in an article dedicated toSam Witwer's interview about voicing Darth Maul in the film "Overlord" shadows.”

Trailers and first shots

The first announcement materials for the series have already aroused considerable interest among Star Wars fans.

The opening footage appears to highlight Maul's ongoing struggle with both his enemies and his past, while also hinting at larger conflicts unfolding in the galaxy under Imperial rule.

Analysis of the first teaser can be found in the article dedicated to the analysis of the first trailer of "Maul: Lord of Shadows" and the analysis of the duel in the series "Rebels"

In other news, it was revealed that a major promotional trailer could debut during the Disney+ presentation.

This report can be found in the article dedicated to the announcement of the trailer for the film "Maul: Lord of Shadows", which will be released on Disney+ on April 6.

The official trailer has been released, giving fans the clearest look yet at the new Maul animated series, its darker tone and the threats that await him at the dawn of the Imperial Age.
Read more in our review Official trailer for Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord.

What might this story explore?

Although Lucasfilm has not yet revealed the full plot, a preliminary synopsis suggests that the series will focus on Maul's growing power in the criminal underworld, operating outside the control of the Sith and the Empire.

Lucasfilm reveals the full calendar of episodes.
Lucasfilm has released the full episode calendar for Maul the Shadow Lordon Disney+, including episode titles and release dates from the April 6 premiere until the final on May 4.

Lucasfilm has unveiled the full release schedule for Star Wars: Maul - Lord of Shadows, which will be released from April 6 to May 4.

The original plot description can be found in the article containing the Maul: Shadow Lord official plot description.

As the series explores the criminal side of the galaxy, several well-known characters from the underworld could potentially appear in the series. One of the frequently discussed options is the return of the pirate leader Hondo Ohnaka.

Rumors surrounding this possibility are discussed in an article that asks whether Hondo Ohnaka could appear in Maul: Overlord shadows.”

In recent interviews, it has become much clearer what the series Maul: Lord of Shadows wants to be, especially regarding the tone, morality and underworld atmosphere surrounding Maul's rise.

"Maul: Lord of Shadows" takes inspiration from "Heat."
Writer Matt Michnovetz says, thatThe Heatbecame a key reference point for the series, pointing toward a pulp-style crime noir built around syndicates, underworld tensions, and a darker corner of the Star Wars galaxy.

Maul: Lord of Shadows does not make Maul a hero.
New comments from the creative team make it clear understand that this is not a story of redemption. Instead, the show focuses on the bad guy fighting worse guys storyline, which says a lot about Maul's role and the show's moral message.

Understanding the age and chronology of Darth Maul

To fully understand the place of Maul: Lord of Shadows in the Star Wars canon, it is helpful to study Maul's life in different timelines.

Born on Dathomir and trained by Darth Sidious, Maul became a Sith assassin long before the events of The Phantom Menace.After his supposed death at the hands of Obi-Wan Kenobi he later returned in"Wars" clones"with cybernetic legs and an obsession with revenge.

More information about Maul's age throughout the saga can be found in the article explaining how old is Darth Maul in the Star Wars timeline.

For an even more detailed analysis, you can also check out a complete timeline of the Darth Maul era in the Starstruck canon wars."

Lucasfilm returns to Maul's darkest moments
Lucasfilm fuels interest in Maul's return with a new official look at his darkest Moments—StarWars.com has released a new official feature highlighting Darth Maul's most insidious moments in film, animation, and comics ahead of the release ofMaul: Lord of Shadows.

Darth Maul outside the series

Maul's popularity extends far beyond films and animated series.The character has appeared in numerous video games and expanded universe stories over the years.

An overview of these appearances can be found in a retrospective dedicated tothe evolution of the image of Darth Maul in games based on the Star Wars universe with 2000 to 2020

There were even attempts to create an entire game dedicated to this character before the project was eventually cancelled.

The history of this project can be read in the article about concept art of the canceled video game about Darth Maul.

The report provides additional development details, providing aa look behind the scenes of the canceled Darth Maul game.

Play as Darth Maul in mods based on the Star Wars universe.

For players who want to take on the role of Maul themselves, the Star Wars modding community has created many ways to play as the character in different games.

Examples include:

Modifications for Star Wars Battlefront II featuring Maul, such asModification of Maul as the director of the Imperial Tower for Battlefront II.

Additional gameplay modifications include modification of Crimson Dawn Maul star cards for Battlefront II.

Another fan creation offers a different path for the character in theJedi Master Maul mod for Battlefront II.
There are even fan interpretations that explore alternative outcomes in the Redemption of Maul mod, Vader and Palpatine for Battlefront II

Maul: Lord of Shadows related merchandise and collectibles

Lucasfilm's line of merchandise based on the upcoming series is already adding new action figures based on the series. For collectors, this is often one of the first indications of how a new series will visually interpret its characters.

One of the first announcements includes new Black Series figures related to the upcoming series. Details can be found in the article dedicated to theannouncement of Maul: Shadow Lord Black Series figures:
https://swtorstrategies.com/2026/03/maul-shadow-lord-black-series-figures-reveal.html

As more merchandise announcements become available, this guide will continue to track new collectibles related to the series.

Why Maul: Lord of Shadows could become a major Star Wars series

In the animated Star Wars films, characters have repeatedly expanded beyond their original appearances. Heroes like Ahsoka Tano, Bo-Katan Kryze, and Cad Bane have become fan favorites largely because animation has allowed them to develop their stories.

Darth Maul followed a similar path.

Once a mysterious Sith assassin who barely spoke a word, he has evolved into one of the franchise's most complex characters—a survivor driven by vengeance, ambition, and an adamant refusal to disappear.

Maul: Lord of Shadows could be the next step in this long evolution.

If the series lives up to expectations, it could become one of the most important animated Star Wars projects in years - and finally tell the full story of one of the most dangerous survivors in the galaxy.

Straight from the big screen comes the LEGOStar WarsImperial Remnant AT-AT with INT-4 fromThe Mandalorian and Grogu, a 1,453-piece set that includes six minifigures and Grogu. The set will go on sale on August 1, 2026.

LEGO Star Wars Imperial Remnant AT-AT with INT-4 (75454)
Number of parts:1453
Age:10+
Price:159.99 USD / 159.99 EUR / 139.99 GBP

Relive exciting scenes from Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu™ with this detailed LEGO® Imperial Remnant AT-AT™ with INT-4 (75454) building toy. The AT-AT features an opening cockpit, side panels and hatches for easy indoor play.

Place 2 LEGO minifigures in the cockpit and find space for 2 more in the cargo area. This set includes 7 characters with battle accessories, allowing kids to recreate Mando and Grogu's battle with the Imperial Remnant warlord and the Snowtroopers. Swap the head and legs of the AT-AT walker and activate the 2 spring guns.

Locate the INT-4 in the cargo bay and unfold the wings for flight, and open the armored vehicle's rear hatch to access the speeder bike for additional action. Kids can enjoy intuitive creativity with the LEGO Builder app, scaling and rotating the model with 3D instructions, saving and tracking progress. A wonderful gift for boys, girls and all Star Wars fans aged 10 years and older.

Devan Coggan, author of StarWars.com, talks with Academy Award-winning composer Ludwig Göransson, who talks about his latest work, developing the unforgettable musical themes for the Star Wars: TV series. The Mandalorian" and the film "Grogu", which are now in theaters.

Göransson returned to the Star Wars universe once again, composing the music for the new film Star Wars: The Mandalorian and the TV series Grogu.

“Coming back to this universe now, eight years later, I feel like I'm meeting one of my best friends again, because I just love it,” Göransson tells StarWars.com.

Ever since Pedro Pascal's Din Djarin first appeared on our screens in 2019, music has been a key part of The Mandalorian's journey. The character's theme song is based on rolling drums and a melodic bass flute, creating the image of a lone gunfighter in the Western genre. Director Jon Favreau is especially pleased with how the Mando theme has taken on a life of its own. “Sometimes you hear a marching band, a military band, a school concert at halftime,” Favreau says. “It became part of the culture, just like Star Wars waswhenI grew up. The idea that these characters, their story and, in this case, their theme resonated with people is something you always hope for as a storyteller, but never take for granted. I know I never will.”

In The Mandalorian and GroguDin Djarin embarks on a new adventure with his little green charge, traveling from the familiar dusty landscape of Nevarro to the swampy forests of Nal Hutta and the neon city streets of Shakari.Göransson wanted the film's score to sound familiar but fresh, so he incorporated existing themes from the Disney+ series while also experimenting with new sounds.

For example, the bustling planet Shakari is accompanied by a pleasant synth soundtrack, while the tiny diner run by Hugo Durant (voiced by Martin Scorsese) is presented with a perky, folky version of the main theme.

“When you work on a feature film like this, you have more time,” explains Göransson. - The scenes are longer. The scale is larger, the film is also larger, especially taking into account the sound in the cinema. It was just a dream to be able to do this. I missed this music and this universe.”

Göransson also wanted the music to sound as grand as the story on screen. ForThe Mandalorianhe recorded the music with a 70-piece orchestra, and for the film with a 106-piece orchestra and a 64-piece choir.

“We got to work with a much larger orchestra, a larger choir, and we also used all of my recorders that I still have in the studio—especially the bass recorder, which you hear from the very beginning of the first episode,” he says. “It's become something of an iconic sound forThe Mandalorian.”

“Going to the movies is almost like going to a concert,” Favreau adds. “You want to hear the songs, so for Ludwig the opportunity to perform them with a larger orchestra, with much more complex compositions and new themes, is really exciting.”

Read the full article here and watch Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu in theaters and IMAX now.

Animated Star Wars projects in recent years have rarely evoked strong emotions, since the franchise has long been accustomed to moving along the safest and most proven tracks. For years we have been fed regular stories about clones or frankly filler stories about rebels, which is why it has become downright boring to follow the announcements. Yes, there is a wonderful “Andor”, but this is rather an exception. I also didn’t expect any revelations from the solo album about Maul - I had a strong feeling that Dave Filoni had already dismantled this character into pieces in previous shows.

In fact, we got a dense, heavy and truly stylish story. The authors managed to make a movie that doesn’t try to sell you merch at all, offering instead an adult drama with a noticeable flavor of despair. Next, I’ll tell you why the return of the tattooed Zabrak to the screens turned out to be such a good move and how exactly the series works with the classic lore of a galaxy far, far away

Dirty work and the galaxy after Order 66

The setting draws out a good half of the atmosphere, because we are accustomed to perceive Order 66 as a short dramatic cut to sad music. Here we are thrown, without warning, into events unfolding exactly one year after the fall of the Republic.

The Empire is just beginning to build its sterile bureaucratic machine and reach out to outlying worlds like the planet Janix, so local power is still based solely on chaos and primitive fear. The surviving Jedi no longer resemble noble knights, since after a year of continuous persecution they have finally turned into broken and cornered outcasts. Due to constant stress, many of them have lost contact with the Force, and now they are forced to hide in dirty slums in search of food, nervously shying away from every sound.

It is into this hopeless mud that Mol descends.The authors decided to move towards classic noir, making the story neon and rainy. In such gloomy settings, the protagonist looks as organic as possible. He despises the Jedi with all his heart, but he hates Emperor Palpatine many times more. The former Sith no longer has allies, and all his actions are dictated solely by the animal instinct of survival and a manic desire to revive his crime syndicate. Such an anti-hero, whose morality has long been erased, is damn interesting to watch.

Matt Michowet, one of the writers and producers of the animated series, said that the project is inspired by The Godfather, Heat and The Dark Knight.

“This is a noir in a boulevard style; the show has elements of detective procedural and gangster cinema."

Legends versus canon: why Maul is no longer a killing machine

It's fun to evaluate the evolution of this character over time. In the old Expanded Universe, which Disney now calls "Legends," the character lived a very eventful life in the pages of all sorts of novels. If you've ever read Michael Reeves' Dark Avenger or Joe Schreiber's brutal Quarantine, you probably remember that classic Maul. In the books, he acted as an ideal terminator and a real chain dog who never asked unnecessary questions, preferring to solve any problems by cutting off limbs.

In the new series, the image was finally reassembled, turning the on-screen Maul into a deeply traumatized character with a split psyche. All his ostentatious bravado and uncontrolled aggression only mask the total vulnerability of a guy who was deprived of the right to choose in early childhood.At the same time, Maul clears locations without the unnecessary theatrical pathos inherent in the Sith, and his methods are more reminiscent of the cold calculation of some Punisher.

Primal Sword Fighting Fury

A frequent and very annoying problem with Disney projects lies in the sterile choreography, when the actors often just carefully hit each other with glow sticks. The animators of the solo film about Maul solved this problem completely, making the local combat difficult and incredibly sticky.

This is especially striking when watching the final two episodes, where the weight of each blow and the inertia of the body are naturally felt through the screen. The authors did not focus on fencing alone, although Ray Park's signature movements are instantly recognizable, and allowed Maul to regularly turn fights into a hard clinch.

At times, the Zabrak acts like a cornered predator, simply crushing its opponents with methodical physical pressure and brute force at close range. He literally breaks someone else's rhythm, leaving the enemy not a single second to rest. It looks so fresh and believable for the Star Wars universe that you want to watch the action scenes several times for the pleasure of seeing the smallest details.

Shadow of Vader and an unexpected gift from localizers

Fan service is present here, but the creators wove it in very carefully, showing Darth Vader exclusively through visual terror. In the original soundtrack, he doesn't say a single word, and the directors were extremely smart to make it clear that a real monster doesn't need lines, just like in Rogue One.His presence is felt only through heavy mechanical breathing and silent, overwhelming pressure in the frame.

However, in the Russian-language segment the situation is completely different. The unofficial dubbing studio Flarrow Films localized the series and specially invited Vladimir Antonik, the same canonical and familiar voice of Anakin Skywalker in armor. They wrote full-fledged text lines for him instead of the original frightening silence, and this decision turned out to be incredibly bold.

Purists and defenders of the director's vision will absolutely be unhappy with such a gag, but it sounds really cool. This is a rare case when localizers hit the nostalgia of the community. And the most important thing is that the studio released an alternative track without these phrases for viewers who want to watch the series in its original original idea, which can safely be called an ideal compromise.

Ripped voice and Easter eggs for your own

Sam Witwer, who voiced Maul in the original, lost his voice during the recording of the final episodes, which the sound engineers talked about in an interview. You can really hear this in the series itself, as the nervousness of a cornered and desperate Zabrak is constantly evident in the dialogue. If you watch the show in dub, I strongly advise you to switch to the original at least in the last episodes in order to appreciate this crazy performance.

As for the pleasant Easter eggs, I would like to mention the old mural of the Zabraks, which briefly appears in the background in one of the scenes. This is early concept art by artist Ian McCaig, drawn by him back in 1998 for the first episode of the saga.McCaig then literally transferred his own nightmares to paper, and the authors turned out to be a very beautiful nod to the origins of creating the appearance of the iconic antagonist

Watch or skip

The bottom line is that we have an animated series that is not at all afraid of being uncomfortable, although its script cannot be called ideal. The middle of the season is a little sluggish in places, and a couple of episodes could have been painlessly shortened, since they feel like classic fillers to stretch out time. But the whirlwind staging of battles, high-quality animation and a gloomy finale that gives you goosebumps easily overcome any rough edges in the plot.

George Lucas's original idea of resurrecting a character cut in half with nothing but cybernetic legs and pure hatred seemed outright nonsense to many fans. "Lord of Shadows" proves that with the right approach of screenwriters, great drama can be squeezed out of this concept.

If you're completely tired of sterile stories and the omnipresent Grogu, just give Maul a chance, because this is a brutal and timely reminder of what the dark side of the Force should really look like.

Introducing another Star Wars LEGO set, this time returning to the first season of The Mandalorian: a 1,683-piece set that includes the Sand Rover and the Mudhorn ship from Out of Earth, five minifigures, Grogu and a brick-built Mudhorn. The set will go on sale from August 1, 2026.

LEGO Star Wars Extraterrestrial Sand Rover and Mudhorn (75453)
Number of parts: 1683
Ages: 14+
Price:199.99 USD / 199.99 EUR / 179.99 GBP

Join the Mandalorian and Kuiil as they negotiate and battle the Jawas with this LEGO® Star Wars™ Sandcrawler and Mudhorn (75453) building toy. Includes a highly detailed replica of the iconic Sandcrawler in the same color scheme as Star Wars: The Mandalorian Season 1, a posable Mudhorn and his egg for Mando to fight over, Grogu with a hoverframe, and 5 LEGO minifigures with role-play accessories.

Push the Jave vehicle and turn one of the controls on the back to steer it; use another control to open and close the front hatch. It also features two stud shooters and opens easily for play inside the cockpit and main compartment, which includes cargo crates filled with droid parts and blue cookies to inspire imaginative play. Kids can build with confidence using the LEGO Builder app - scale, rotate in 3D and track progress with digital instructions. A great gift for teens, young men and women, and any Star Wars fan aged 14 or older.

Via

On social networks, the game designer shared a review of Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu. Usually Kojima writes a detailed opinion only if he liked the film. According to him, the full-length project is superior to the series, which he did not even watch beyond the first episode.

I watched The Mandalorian and Grogu in IMAX format. Back in 2019, I only watched the beginning ofThe Mandalorianwhile learning about LED filming technology—“virtual production,” but this time I had no trouble getting fully immersed. Action, car chases, close combat, battles, shootouts, gladiator matches, dogfights, giant monsters, giant mechs. A complete all-against-everything show. CGI, puppets, special makeup, animatronics, stop-motion animation. Even in the behind-the-scenes work, it feels like literally everything possible was crammed into it. X-wings, AT-AT, AT-RT, speeders, stormtroopers, droids. Almost every element from the entire story of theStar Warssaga is here. A massive attraction, crafted with the craftsmanship of Jon Favreau.

Viewers agree with Kojima

Despite the average ratings from critics, the audience praised the film. The Mandalorian and Groguearned an A-minus (A-) in CinemaScore's audience poll. They were interviewed upon leaving the hall in the USA. The same rating goes forThe Devil Wears Prada 2,Michael,Guns,SupermanandThunderbolts.

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has 89% positive reviews from users. On IMDb, the film has an average of 7.0/10, which is on par withHan Solo.

A positive reaction from audiences could help the film at the box office, but the start was weak.

During a discussion about popular attractions at Disneyland, a Lucasfilm representative made it clear that new projects featuring the hero are currently in development. This hint confirms that he will remain an important figure in the franchise for the foreseeable future.

After Disney purchased the Star Wars brand, a strict rule was established according to which all films, TV series, literature and games became part of a single chronology. This approach means that events in interactive media carry the same weight as events in live-action blockbusters.

Historically, original characters created specifically for interactive formats were often kept separate from the main releases. However, the huge success of recent gaming projects has forced creative department heads to reconsider their approach. Some elements were even removed from amusement parks.

Cal Kestis will return

A Disney representative during an interview with GameRant indicated his commitment to the hero of the Star Wars: Jedi game series.

Never say never. We have his lightsaber in the park. We have many more stories about Cal.

Despite being a famous face, the character has yet to appear in a movie. Until recently, his only technical appearance outside of video games came in the animated project LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy, where actor Cameron Monaghan returned to voice acting.

An important turning point in Cal's story came with the publication of the reference bookSecrets of the Jedi: The Chronicles of Luke Skywalker. It is a retelling of important events in the franchise from the perspective of the iconic Jedi. The text explicitly indicates that Luke is aware of Cal's survival.

Currently, development of the third part of the video game series is actively underway. It must complete the trilogy.

According to recently published documents, the production of the new season of the series cost about 30% less thanThe Acolyte. This was reported by Forbes.

Released in 2024, The Acolyte became one of the most controversial projects in the saga under the wing of Disney. The show was called “progressive,” which was one of the reasons for the criticism.

The audience rating of The Acolyte on Rotten Tomatoes is only 19%. That's lower than the infamous 1978 holiday special ofStar Wars. In addition to the negative ratings, the show's views were not encouraging. According to the analytics company Nielsen, in its premiere week it ranked only seventh in the top 10 original series.

The clearest evidence of failure came when Lucasfilm canceled the second season just over a month after the first season ended. And it wasn’t just the audience’s dislike.

The Acolyte exceeded its budget before filming began. The cost was $230.9 million. Due to filming in the UK, some of the costs were returned, but the costs are still impressive.

Star Wars budgets have begun to be cut

Ahsokahas a main character beloved by millions of fans, but afterAcolytethe company reconsidered its approach to costs. Despite the good ratings of the first season, they are trying to film the second cheaper.

Recently released financial reports from Robot Dog Pictures show that the second season of Ahsoka spent $33.7 million in approximately two months. The Acolyte spent $42.4 million in the same period. On average, the failed series had 62 people working on it each month, compared to just 34 on the second season ofAhsoka.

It seems that Star Wars is trying to make it cheaper.It all started with the filmThe Mandalorian and Grogu, which cost $160 million. In the future, this trend may continue, given the film’s opening box office.

The premiere of the sequel to Ahsokawill take place in early 2027.

This Star Warshas a few references for fans, like Din Djarin's N-1 starfighter parked outside his home. However, the self-contained plot means there are relatively few cameos. Now we know that one of them was cut out during editing.

A recently released photo from the set confirms that IG-11 was originally supposed to appear at Dean's house along with Rotta the Hutt (who has a stunt double here). This probably happened in the scenes before Rotta left the planet and before Embo captured Dean. However, there is always the possibility that this is an alternate ending.

We hope we will find out about this later. The scene may be included in the digital release ofThe Mandalorian and Grogu.

The second behind-the-scenes photo shows that Dean and the Kid's arrival on Nal Hutt was also slightly different from the original. It is unclear what kind of creature they were supposed to ride on the surface of the planet.

Why was IG-11 there?

This character was introduced as Dean's rival. In the first episode, he was defeated by the main character. Later, restored by Kuiil, he became an ally and made a sacrifice to save the series' heroes from approaching stormtroopers. After IG-11 was restored again, he became the new Marshal of Nevarro.

It's safe to assume that he was Nevarro's representative in the film's deleted scene. As for the reasons why the scene was cut, it could be anything. For example, the writers may have decided to speed up the pace of the story, or the presence of IG-11 was simply confusing to those who have not watched the series.

The first box office of the film turned out to be weak, but still higher than expected. At launch, the film grossed $163 million worldwide.

A new free game based on the Star Wars universe has caused a mixed reaction among PlayStation 5 users.

The game became free for Extra and Premium PlayStation Plus subscribers, and some gamers were pleased. Due to this, one of the most popular posts on the PS Plus thread on Reddit claims that the project does not deserve the criticism it has received. The popularity of the post suggests that this is a common opinion, although some users say otherwise.

Star Wars Outlaws from Massive Entertainment and Ubisoft is available for free on PS5 as part of a recent catalog update. This prompted many players to try it for the first time.

The release took place in August 2024, when the game was criticized. The developers made a number of improvements, but the project was considered a failure. This led to the cancellation of the sequel. However, almost two years later, it resonates with PlayStation Plus subscribers.

"Doesn't deserve criticism" and "gameplay sucks"

“Star Wars Outlawsdidn’t deserve the criticism it received,” reads the title of the Reddit post. In the publication, the author reveals the essence:

I heard a lot of negative things about this game, but I'm glad I didn't listen. Outlaws is a great game, and if you are a fan of Star Wars, you should definitely try it!

The popularity of the post indicates that other gamers think the same. However, there were some negative comments:

I hear all the time: “If you're aStar Warsfan, you'll love it.” I'm aStar Warsfan. And I have been one for almost 30 years. And I didn't really enjoy the game.

Yes, I tried it. The combat system is terrible.

Some rightly noted that the game has changed in a couple of years since its release.PS Plus subscribers received a different game from the one they received at launch.

You are playing a version of the game that has been updated and you did not pay full price for it. It's like saying thatCyberpunk 2077didn't deserve all the criticism it received at launch. After this, many updates were released to fix various problems that players had.

The game had gameplay and game design issues that were more or less fixed upon launch. What hasn't been fixed are the weak characters and the simple plot. In this regard, the game is still inferior to Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republicor the Star Wars Jedi series.

If you still want to try, the passage will not take much time. The main story takes 15-20 hours, and a complete passage will require about 70 hours.