The Force Is Strong With This Idea: Darth Maul's Voice Actor Just Called For A Solo Game

AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·

The Force Is Strong With This Idea: Darth Maul's Voice Actor Just Called For A Solo Game

Star Wars voice actor Sam Witwer, deeply embedded with the character, is passionately advocating for a standalone Darth Maul video game, igniting fresh hope for fans after a previous Red Fly Studio project was canceled years ago. His call for an 'incredible story' raises intriguing questions about who might finally bring the iconic Sith Lord's solo adventure to life.

Right, so picture this: you're sitting around, tinkering with the latest game news, and then – *bam!* – someone drops a wish into the universe that makes you sit up and take notice. This isn't just any old wish, mind you; it's a powerful one, coming from none other than Sam Witwer, the dude who literally *is* Darth Maul for a whole generation of Star Wars fans. He reckons it's high time for a standalone Darth Maul game, and honestly, mate, I'm with him. My digital wizard senses are tingling, telling me this isn't just a pipe dream.

Now, Witwer isn't some random bloke off the street speculating about game ideas. This is the man who's not only bringing Maul to life in the new Disney+ series, *Maul – Shadow Lord*, but he's also voiced the horned terror in *Battlefront 2* and *LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga*. Before that, he was tearing things up as Starkiller in *The Force Unleashed* games and even Emperor Palpatine. Add to that his recent stints in *The Callisto Protocol* and *Horizon Forbidden West*, and you've got yourself a proper gaming industry veteran. When someone with that kind of pedigree, someone who's lived and breathed the character for years, says they 'know what to do with the character' for a game, you listen. Fair dinkum, you do.

Darth Maul, eh? What a villain! From his iconic double-bladed lightsaber duel in *The Phantom Menace* (let's not talk about the waist situation, eh?) to his incredible animated series redemption arc, he's just one of those characters who refuses to stay down. He’s been a playable force in games like *Battlefront 2*, a boss battle staple in the *LEGO Star Wars* universe, and even got a snazzy skin in *Fortnite*. He’s got that raw, primal energy that just screams 'video game protagonist'... or rather, 'antagonist protagonist,' which is even better, isn't it?

It’s almost a crime that he hasn't had his own proper solo outing yet, especially when you consider the sheer popularity. But here’s where things get interesting, like a spell that fizzled out but left behind a weird, glowy residue. Over a decade ago, Red Fly Studio was actually working on a game with the working title *Maul*. A third-person, story-driven affair, following a young Maul as he climbed the Sith ranks. Sounded bloody brilliant, didn't it? Unfortunately, like many a promising project in a galaxy far, far away, it got caught in the crossfire – specifically, the Lucasfilm sale to Disney. Poof! Gone.

But wait, there's more! Fast forward to 2015, and Red Fly Studio's Dan Borth popped up on Reddit, hinting that they were trying to resurrect the beast. They even had plans to show a demo to EA, hoping to get it greenlit. Concept art floated around – different costumes, characters, environments... it was enough to make a gamer weep with joy and frustration. Then, silence. The digital tea leaves went dark, and hope for Red Fly's *Maul* faded into the ether, leaving a galaxy of disappointed fans.

So, what does Sam Witwer's recent call mean now? Is it just a nostalgic whisper into the void, or a spark that could ignite something truly special? He firmly believes there's an opportunity for 'an incredible story,' and with his intimate knowledge of Maul, who are we to argue? Imagine a game where you truly delve into Maul's psyche, his rage, his training, his relentless pursuit of vengeance. Not just a hack-and-slash, but something with depth, narrative punch, and the kind of dark aesthetic that only a Sith Lord could truly deliver. Think of the combat possibilities, the acrobatic brutality, the sheer terror he could evoke.

Now, the big question mark: who'd actually pick up the saber and develop it? The usual suspects spring to mind: Electronic Arts (EA) or Ubisoft. EA's certainly got their hands full with Star Wars; we're talking about *Star Wars Zero Company*, which sounds like a mash-up of *Mass Effect* and *XCOM*, and the persistent rumours of a *Jedi: Survivor* sequel featuring Cal's daughter. Ubisoft's got its own open-world Star Wars project simmering away. Are they looking for another big Star Wars story to tell? Would they be brave enough to step into the dark side with a villain as the lead?

My gentle skepticism kicks in here. Corporate promises and 'revolutionary' claims are usually met with a raised eyebrow from this wizard. Game development is a messy, complicated business, especially when you're talking about a beloved IP like Star Wars. But the enthusiasm of a dedicated actor like Witwer, combined with the lingering ghost of a promising canceled project, makes this more than just typical industry chatter. It's a genuine desire from someone deeply invested in the character, and the fans seem to agree. Maybe, just maybe, the gaming gods (or rather, the Sith Lords) are listening. A standalone Darth Maul game, done right? That would be an incredible story, indeed. Here's hoping someone's paying attention, eh?

Tags: Star Wars, Darth Maul, Video Games, Game Development, Gaming Culture

Original article: Game Rant