Solo: A Star Wars Story has a major The Phantom Menace cameo no one expected
Photo Credit: [Solo: A Star Wars Story] Lucasfilm
There’s a major character cameo in Solo: A Star Wars Story that will have hardcore Star Wars fans jumping for joy. Be warned; this story contains spoilers.
Solo: A Star Wars Story has officially hit theaters, and the first reactions have been positive. The film is chock full of Easter eggs and fan service, but most of it is done organically in a way that casual moviegoers can appreciate while simultaneously making hardcore Star Wars giddy without inducing any groans.
There are plenty of characters that could have been in Solo: A Star Wars Story. Many of the cameos that fans predicted weren’t actually there. This is positive. Solo doesn’t rely on shoe-horned references and Boba Fett sightings to earn its stake in a galaxy far, far away.
There is, however, a massively unexpected cameo in the film. You are warned above, but there are major, major spoilers below.
Last warning – SPOILERS BELOW
Photo Credit: [Solo: A Star Wars Story] Lucasfilm
Maul.
Yes, Maul is in Solo: A Star Wars Story. No, the movie is not set before The Phantom Menace. For those unfamiliar with The Clone Wars or Rebels, Darth Maul survived his encounter with Obi-Wan Kenobi in The Phantom Menace.
His body broken, Maul’s character was resurrected in The Clone Wars when his brother, Savage Opress sought him out. Maul and Savage went on to build a criminal empire. Maul climbed the criminal underworld ladder, until he took up a role as leader of the Crimson Sun. That’s where he comes into play in Solo.
Photo Credit: [Star Wars: The Clone Wars]Lucasfilm, Cartoon NetworkIn the newest Star Wars Story, Han Solo goes up against Dryden Vos, who, early in the film, hints at being afraid of whoever his boss is. Later, it’s revealed that Vos’ boss is indeed Maul.
He only appears in a hologram, but Maul is physically portrayed (robotic legs and all) by Ray Park, the same actor who played him in The Phantom Menace.
He’s voiced by Sam Witwer, the voice actor who brings Maul to life in The Clone Wars and Rebels. It’s a beautiful blending of physical acting, voice acting, and digital effects.
It’s a satisfactory silver-screen culmination of all of the elements that have worked together to bring the character to life in the television shows since Maul’s supposed “death” in The Phantom Menace.
Photo Credit: [Star Wars: The Phantom Menace] LucasfilmAlthough his screen time is limited, Maul is felt in this movie. After igniting his red lightsaber, he instructs Qi’ra to go to him on Dathomir, where he’ll likely have further criminal business to conduct with her.
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Maul’s cameo was surely unexpected, and a great way to reintroduce the character to fans of the Star Wars movies. Hopefully, his presence in Solo is setting up an appearance in another standalone Star Wars Story.
Solo: A Star Wars Story is playing in theaters, worldwide.