I’m Now 100% Positive Star Wars Is Setting Up A Major Darth Maul Rematch

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Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord episodes 7-8

Maul – Shadow Lord is definitely building towards a big showdown with the dark side, and fans will love it! Taking place a year after the Clone Wars and the Empire’s rise, the story follows Maul as he tries to regain power by controlling the galaxy’s criminal organizations. But ultimately, he’s driven by a desire for revenge against those who wronged him.

Given everything we know about Maul’s story in Star Wars, it’s interesting to see him dealing with the new galaxy controlled by his former master, Darth Sidious. Palpatine abandoned and betrayed Maul long ago, meaning he hasn’t officially been a Sith Lord for years. However, with the recent episodes of Shadow Lord (7-8), I strongly believe we’ll soon see a new conflict between Maul and Palpatine, and a reckoning on the dark side.

With Palpatine’s forces hunting him and Maul becoming increasingly fixated on revenge in Shadow Lord, it feels inevitable that the two Sith Lords will eventually face each other in a lightsaber duel.

The Emperor Knows Maul Is On Janix In Shadow Lord

The latest episodes of Shadow Lord (7 and 8) strongly suggest Emperor Palpatine knew Darth Maul was back on Janix, a planet connected to powerful criminal organizations that the Empire hadn’t previously noticed. Now, the Empire has completely sealed off Janix, using the Inquisitors Marrok and Crow to trap Maul and his followers there.

When the Inquisitors trap the former Sith Lord in a cave, Marrok ominously reveals that the Emperor has ordered Maul’s death. Considering Marrok previously reported Maul’s location to a mysterious figure, it’s clear Palpatine is keeping a close watch on Janix and what his former apprentice is doing.

Darth Maul uses the Force to cause a cave-in, allowing him to escape the Inquisitors. Though he survives, this escape might lead to a future confrontation with Emperor Palpatine.

Darth Sidious and Darth Maul have clashed directly before. After Maul seized control of Mandalore during the Clone Wars, Palpatine traveled to the planet to confront his former apprentice. Maul’s return and ambition threatened Palpatine’s long-term plans. Their fight was a devastating lightsaber duel that ended with Sidious killing Maul’s brother, Savage – a traumatic event Maul is forced to experience again in a vision during the Shadow Lord episode 8.

Considering past events, it’s highly probable Palpatine will confront his apprentice again. Furthermore, Maul might force a showdown, leaving Palpatine with no other option.

Maul Will Never Be Satisfied Until Emperor Palpatine Is Dead

Palpatine wants Darth Maul dead, but Maul feels exactly the same way about him, simply responding to a threat with “Likewise.” Further fueling Maul’s desire for revenge is a disturbing vision from Shadow Lord 8, which forces him to relive all the pain of his past, showing Palpatine as the source of it all – ever since he took Maul from his home on Dathomir as a child. Maul vows to prevent Palpatine from inflicting the same suffering on others, telling a vision of his younger self that he won’t allow it.

It’s clear that if given the opportunity and sufficient strength, Maul would attempt to confront Palpatine before the events of Star Wars Rebels.

Even though we know Maul doesn’t succeed in killing his former master, his story remains captivating. It’s possible he’ll first have to face Darth Vader – a truly exciting battle to imagine. However, a rematch between Palpatine and Maul still seems likely, potentially in the last two episodes of this season or in the already-announced second season of Maul – Shadow Lord.

As a huge Star Wars fan, I’m so excited to share that the last two episodes of Maul – Shadow Lord season one are dropping on Disney+ May 4th – that’s Star Wars Day, naturally! I’ve been following this series and can’t wait to see how the story wraps up.

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2026-04-29 04:20