Starkiller's Return? Sam Witwer's Ready to Shave His Head for a Galactic Comeback
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Sam Witwer, voice of iconic Star Wars characters like Darth Maul, has enthusiastically confirmed he'd 'shave his head in an instant' to reprise his fan-favourite 'Legends' character, Starkiller from *The Force Unleashed*, reigniting hopes among gamers for a canonical comeback.
Right, so remember that feeling when your favourite RPG got an update, but they somehow *removed* your most beloved character from the timeline? Yeah, Star Wars fans know that pain all too well, especially when it comes to a certain Force-wielding menace named Starkiller. But hold onto your lightsabers, mates, because the bloke who gave him that gravelly voice is more than ready to jump back into the fray, no questions asked.
We're talking about Sam Witwer, the absolute legend who's been lending his vocal cords to some of the galaxy's most compelling figures. Lately, he's been busy terrifying folks as the dangerously compelling Darth Maul in *Star Wars - Maul: Shadow Lord*. If you haven't seen it, it's a cracking bit of storytelling, picking up shortly after *Revenge of the Sith* with Maul trying to rebuild his criminal empire. But before he donned Maul's spidery prosthetics, Witwer was making waves as Galen Marek, better known to us as Starkiller. And honestly, it's fair dinkum to say that without Starkiller, a lot of us might not even know Witwer's name, which speaks volumes about the character's impact.
Now, for those who came to Star Wars a bit later – or perhaps just blocked out the traumatic memories – the whole 'decannonisation' thing after Disney bought Lucasfilm in 2015 was a bit like having your game save corrupted, wasn't it? All those rich, sprawling stories from the Expanded Universe (now affectionately known as 'Legends') suddenly... didn't happen. Poof! Gone from the official timeline, chilling in the archives like forgotten patches. Starkiller was one of the big ones to get the boot. Introduced in *Star Wars: The Force Unleashed* (2008) and its 2010 sequel on the PS3 and Xbox 360, Starkiller was Darth Vader's secret apprentice, a Force-sensitive chap abducted young and raised to embrace the dark side. He was ludicrously powerful, able to pull Star Destroyers out of orbit – a true spectacle of what the Force could really *do* in a video game.
He wasn't just a popular character; he was an *icon*. Alongside others like the enigmatic Darth Revan, Starkiller has consistently topped fan polls for 'Legends characters we absolutely NEED back in canon.' There's something about these darker, morally ambiguous figures that just resonates, isn't there? They offer a different flavour to the traditional Jedi vs. Sith narrative, showing us the messy bits in between. And honestly, for a brief, glorious moment, it almost happened! During the production of *Star Wars: Rebels*, there were whispers, actual plans, to introduce Starkiller as one of Vader's Inquisitors. Imagine that! Force-sensitive killers hunting Jedi, with Witwer's voice behind one of them? Bloody hell, that would've been something. Alas, the Force, or perhaps the story group, had other plans, and it ultimately fell through.
But here's where it gets interesting, mate. When Polygon — *our original source for this brilliant tidbit*, mind you — recently asked Sam Witwer if he'd ever consider reprising the role, even after all these years and all the canon kerfuffle, the answer wasn't just 'yes.' It was a resounding, 'I would shave my head in an instant. Very happy to do so.' He even added, 'I love that character, and he's really the reason I'm here.'
That's the kind of dedication and genuine love for a character you just don't see every day. It's like an actor saying they'd re-learn a whole language or gain a hundred kilos just for a shot at bringing back a fan-favourite. And when asked who'd win in a scrap between his two iconic characters, Maul versus Starkiller, Witwer didn't miss a beat. "If they fought? I am very clear that the winner would be me." A perfect, playful answer from a man clearly enjoying his time in the Star Wars galaxy, no matter the character.
Now, what does this mean for us, the gamers and fans who've been banging the drum for Starkiller's return for years? Well, it doesn't automatically mean he's back, sadly. Lucasfilm has a rather tight ship when it comes to canon, and integrating a character of Starkiller's sheer power and established story into the current Disney timeline is a bit like trying to fit a Wookiee into a speeder bike – challenging, to say the least. His narrative arc in *The Force Unleashed* was pretty definitive, culminating in events that would ripple throughout the galaxy in ways the current canon simply hasn't acknowledged.
However, the enduring popularity of characters like Starkiller, coupled with the visible enthusiasm of the actors who portray them, does send a signal. It's a reminder to the powers-that-be that these 'Legends' aren't just forgotten relics; they're cherished parts of Star Wars history for a massive segment of the fanbase. We've seen characters and concepts from the old EU slowly but surely make their way back into canon – look at Grand Admiral Thrawn, for instance. So, while nothing is guaranteed, the sheer, unadulterated passion from an actor as talented as Sam Witwer keeps the dream alive. It's a constant, low hum of the Force, whispering possibilities.
Whether Lucasfilm will make that jump and embrace the chaos that would surely follow Starkiller's return remains unknown. But if they do, Witwer is primed and ready to go. And honestly, mates, who wouldn't want to see what kind of reality-bending shenanigans he'd get up to in the new canon? Here's hoping the digital tea leaves eventually spell out 'Starkiller Lives!'
**Source:** *This article draws its core insights from an interview originally published by Aimee Hart on Polygon.com on April 10, 2026. You can find the original piece at polygon.com/star-wars-starkiller-canon-sam-witwer/ for the full scoop.*
Tags: Star Wars, The Force Unleashed, Starkiller, Gaming News, Sam Witwer
Original article: Polygon