Darth Maul

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Darth Maul, later known simply as Maul, is a fictional character and a major antagonist in the Star Wars franchise. He was originally introduced in the 1999 film Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (played by Ray Park and voiced by Peter Serafinowicz) as a powerful Zabrak warrior and Darth Sidious's first apprentice. Though seemingly killed by Obi-Wan Kenobi at the end of the film, the 2008 Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated television series revealed that Maul had survived his injuries, and he has since also been featured in the 2014 series Star Wars Rebels and the 2018 film Solo: A Star Wars Story, voiced by Sam Witwer, with Park physically reprising the role in the latter film. Throughout his appearances, Maul has been portrayed as a disgraced Sith Lord who renounced his "Darth" title after realizing Sidious never cared about him; a powerful crime lord; and Obi-Wan's relentless archenemy.

The Clone Wars explores more of the character's backstory, revealing he was once a member of a group of Zabrak warriors on Dathomir, and was abducted by Sidious as a child. Following his defeat in The Phantom Menace, Maul replaces the lower half of his body, which had been severed by Obi-Wan, with cybernetics, and spends over a decade in isolation, being driven to insanity. After his brother, Savage Opress, eventually finds him during the Clone Wars, Maul executes his revenge plan against Obi-Wan, culminating with him allying with various crime syndicates, taking over the planet Mandalore, and killing Obi-Wan's love interest, Duchess Satine Kryze. Although he is captured by his former master, Sidious, who came to see him as a rival, he manages to escape and rebuild his criminal empire. Following his overthrow and capture by the Galactic Republic, Maul escapes once again and goes into hiding. During the reign of the Galactic Empire, Maul resurfaces as a crime lord and runs his syndicate, the Crimson Dawn, from the shadows, but is eventually stranded on the Sith world of Malachor. He escapes years later, after meeting Ezra Bridger, whom he then forces to assist in locating Obi-Wan. Finding him to be hiding on Tatooine, Maul fights his old nemesis one last time and dies in Obi-Wan's arms.

Aside from the films and television series, the character appears in various canon and non-canon Star Wars media over the years, such as books, comics, and video games. Since the release of The Phantom Menace, Maul has become a widely recognized figure in popular culture, widely remembered for his intimidating appearance and double-bladed lightsaber. His popularity within the Star Wars fandom has earned him a cult status.