The first trailer for new Star Wars anime show The Ninth Jedi has arrived, and it teases an epic new series.

In the brief clip, which can be viewed above, young Kara goes on a colorful, action-packed, and dangerous adventure through the galaxy. She goes up against a mysterious masked foe... who, it's revealed by his blue lightsaber, might just be a former Jedi.

The limited series picks up after adventures in Star Wars Visions Volume 1 and Volume 3, and sees Kara continue on her quest to find her missing father and evade Jedi Hunters.

The original The Ninth Jedi short was released in 2021 as an episode of Star Wars Visions and is set a thousand years after the events of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. A sabersmith named Lah Zhima builds six lightsabers to bring back the mostly non-existent Jedi order before being captured by the Sith. His daughter Kara arms herself with a lightsaber and sets off on a journey to find other Jedi to help her rescue her father.

The second installment, The Ninth Jedi: Child of Hope, was released in October 2025 and continues Kara's journey, this time after an unexpected attack.

"It was such a big endeavor – the first full-on anime Star Wars series, so we would support the team from early pitch stages through designs and production as the story was built out," Visions executive producer Josh Rimes previously told Polygon.

The Ninth Jedi releases on Disney Plus this August 5. For more, check out our list of the best Disney Plus shows, or look ahead with our guide to all the upcoming Star Wars movies and shows.

Before creator Tony Gilroy got involved and turned Andor into a thrillingly rich, thematically nuanced masterpiece, the Star Wars show was initially in the hands of Disney animation boss Jared Bush, and a new art book has revealed the Zootopia director's original take on the material.

As spotted by Cinelinx, new coffee table book The Art of Star Wars: Andor contains Bush's original pitch for the Star Wars show, taken from his 2018 series bible, and it reveals a radically different version of Andor that never was.

“The fledgling Rebellion experiences a crippling setback when an Imperial mole hidden within its ranks decimates a series of rebel bases. Cassian Andor, a young intelligence operative, is one of the few who survive, only to be falsely accused of being the mole himself. Out in the cold, Cassian discovers the only way to clear his name and find the mole is to infiltrate an Imperial planet which holds the key to uncovering the mole's identity.”

While this concept for the show retains the core idea of Andor being an espionage-powered story set in a galaxy far, far away, Bush's Andor would have been very different from the two-season show we got under Gilroy's stewardship. Instead of a simple mole hunt, Gilroy shaped Andor into a show about political oppression and resistance that mirrored real-world events to an almost eerie degree.

Andor was originally revealed in November 2018 after roughly a year of development. Initially, The Americans' executive producer Stephen Schiff was brought on board as showrunner, after Bush contributed a pilot script and series bible. Gilroy, who reportedly oversaw Rogue One's extensive reshoots, later shared his own vision for Andor with Kathleen Kennedy by penning a letter to the former head of Lucasfilm. Kennedy was evidently impressed, as Gilroy officially came on board in 2019.

The two-season show ran from 2022 to 2025 and is widely considered one of the high points of the Disney era of Star Wars. We even named Andor season 2 the best show of 2025. Gilroy provided some insights into the beloved show in our season 2 post-mortem, and even dispelled a fan theory around one of the finale's most ambiguous moments.

As for Bush, Andor may have slipped through his fingers, but the filmmaker had a pretty good 2025 too – he was the director of the highest-grossing Hollywood movie of the year, Zootopia 2, after becoming the chief creative officer of Disney Animation in late 2024.

Andor is streaming in full on Disney Plus. For more, check out our list of the best Disney Plus shows, or look ahead with our guide to all the upcoming Star Wars movies and shows.

Live-action Ezra Bridger actor Eman Esfandi has posted a cryptic tease for Ahsoka season 2.

Esfandi made his live-action debut in the first season of the show, and he'll soon be returning when the show airs on Disney Plus early next year.

"'The pain you're feeling cannot compare to the joy that is coming' I tell myself as I await season 2," Esfandi wrote on Twitter.

The tease is so mysterious that even the official Star Wars account doesn't seem to know what to make of it, simply replying: "Eman"

Esfandi had a response, however: "Should've left that in the drafts my b"

At the end of Ahsoka season 1, Ezra safely made it back to the main galaxy by stowing away on Grand Admiral Thrawn's ship. But, Ahsoka Tano and Sabine Wren were left behind, along with Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati.

So far, Ahsoka season 2 is shrouded in mystery. What we know for sure, though, is that Hayden Christensen will return as Anakin Skywalker, Admiral Ackbar will face off against Thrawn, Rory McCann is taking over as Baylan from the late Ray Stevenson, and there will be battles across two galaxies.

"Anybody who saw the sequels knows that there's a First Order coming in, like, 20 years from where we are now in the storyline," The Mandalorian and Grogu director Jon Favreau has teased of the second Ahsoka season. "And then Ahsoka season 2 is coming out – which I've seen all of – and that's definitely more dealing with the larger [picture], a higher level. That's about the officers and we're the enlisted men – this is more of a ground-level experience of what's going on. You're seeing the backdrop – which, by the way, is what the first Star Wars started off as."

Ahsoka season 2 doesn't have a firm release date yet beyond early 2027. While you wait, check out our guide to all the upcoming Star Wars movies and shows for everything else the galaxy far, far away has in store.

Back in 2020, The Mandalorian season 2 broke the internet when it brought back Luke Skywalker in the finale. The cameo was a total secret, even to the actors on set, bar Pedro Pascal.

But, Ming-Na Wen, who plays Fennec Shand in the Star Wars universe, has revealed she knew the truth the whole time.

"Oh, I knew it was Luke. How could you not? The glove, the lightsaber, the R2-D2 that they painted freaking green," Wen said in conversation with Katee Sackhoff, who plays Bo-Katan Kryze (and had no idea they were dealing with Luke Skywalker). "I just turned to Jon [Favreau] and Dave [Filoni], I'm like, 'Are you kidding me?'"

The cover story was this mysterious Jedi was none other than Plo Koon, who died during Order 66 – a story Sackhoff apparently believed.

"I'm like, 'Come on. It's R2-D2.' They're like, 'No it's not,'" Wen added, confirming no one would tell her the truth in the moment. Check out the conversation below.

In the finale, Luke Skywalker showed up to save Mando, Grogu, Cara Dune, Bo-Katan, Koska Reeves, and Fennec Shand from the Dark Troopers.

"But even when they didn't admit it, I didn't know how they were going to present it," Wen added. "So, I was very surprised, because I didn't see all those other stuff… It was amazing. I still cried and freaked out."

Luke Skywalker showed up again in The Book of Boba Fett, but hasn't been seen since – though a Star Wars fan spotted a background detail in The Mandalorian and Grogu that might have hinted at his presence on Adelphi Base.

The Mandalorian and Grogu is currently in theaters, and, right now, we don't know what's next for Din Djarin and Baby Yoda. The next Star Wars release is Ahsoka season 2, which is arriving in early 2027.

In the meantime, check out our guide to all the upcoming Star Wars movies and shows for everything else the galaxy far, far away has in store.

After the success of Maul – Shadow Lord, Darth Maul voice actor Sam Witwer says he wants Star Wars to take more risks, because if not, the sci-fi franchise won't grow.

"You have to take creative risks. It’s like the Maul character – if you’re not going to take risks with the Maul character, do something really new with him, you should not be taking the character out," said Witwer on the Pause for Thought podcast. "I think it’s the same thing with Star Wars in general… Certain things are gonna hit with certain audiences – everyone has their favorite. But without that spirit of experimentation, you don’t get anywhere."

Maul – Shadow Lord is quite out of the ordinary for the franchise. Using noir-inspired animation style with real paint strokes mixed with computer-generated visuals, the series looks different from anything we have seen before in Star Wars and shines a more positive light on a once-hated villain. However, doing something different paid off. Shadow Lord sits at a near-perfect 98% score on Rotten Tomatoes, and we awarded it 4 out of 5 stars in our Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord season 1 review.

The same goes for Andor. Differing from traditional Star Wars movies and shows, which adopt typical space-fantasy themes, Andor gives fans an insight into the reality of living under oppressive Imperial rule. Andor has a 96% score on RT.

Witwer says Star Wars should be taking these risks more often. But fans are feeling it too. Just last month, Star Wars fans were complaining about the number of projects set between the prequels and original trilogy, wondering if now is the time to move on.

However, it seems as though the tide is turning. As well as Maul – Shadow Lord season 2, which is already in production, the franchise is ready to tell some fresh stories, starting with Shawn Levy's Star Wars: Starfighter starring Ryan Gosling. Levy has also shown interest in making a Star Wars horror movie, which we are well overdue for.

For more on the way, check out our list of upcoming Star Wars movies and shows, and keep up with the Galaxy Far Far Away with our guide on how to watch Star Wars movies in order.

Long before the current Disney Plus era of Star Wars, it turns out George Lucas wanted to make a TV show centered around Ian McDiarmid's Emperor Palpatine.

McDiarmid himself revealed the news at Spacecon San Antonio 2026, via The Popverse.

"[George Lucas] was talking about, I think I can tell you now, a television series," McDiarmid shared. "At the time we didn't think about Star Wars in terms of television series. Very speculative. We had lunch one day, and he said I've got this idea, and I hope you might want to be involved. We could sort of follow the Emperor's progress, like Hitler's, some of that. There might be an assassination attempt, and of course it wouldn't succeed. It sounded really exciting. And he also said that maybe you could direct one, and then I fainted. But sadly, that didn't come to pass."

While this does sound like a separate project, especially since McDiarmid says it was "speculative," it's possible this could have been part of the Underworld TV show, which would've been set between the prequel and original trilogies and focused largely on Coruscant's criminal underworld. However, it really does seem Lucas had an entirely separate, Palpatine-focused project in mind.

Of course, while Andor season 1 and 2 never actually featured the Emperor on screen, they did deal heavily with Imperial politics, which might be the closest we get to seeing a project like the one envisioned by Lucas. McDiarmid, meanwhile, returned as Palpatine for a cameo in the Obi-Wan Kenobi series.

Next up for Star Wars is Ahsoka season 2, which has a confirmed release window of early 2027. The Mandalorian and Grogu, meanwhile, is in theaters now.

You can keep up to date on everything else the galaxy far, far away has in store with our guide to all the upcoming Star Wars movies and TV shows.

Over the past decade, Star Wars has focused heavily on the period of time between the prequels and original trilogy, so much so that fans are wondering if it is time to move on from releasing projects set in this era.

When the Star Wars prequels were released, there was no doubt that fans had a lot of questions about what had happened in the 19 years between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. But thanks to the ever-growing franchise, many projects have filled in the blanks and introduced lots of new characters. But when is enough enough?

"Considering the sheer amount of media we've gotten that takes place between III-IV, is there STILL some plot holes that need to be addressed? Or is it finally time to move on?" asked one fan on Reddit. Many others agree, as one pointed out, "Personally, I’m over the timeline between Ep1-6... give us the Luke Han Leia story post-6. Take some heavy swings at the lore. Dig deep and do some mythological heavy lifting."

Many fans are seeing the funny side of Lucasfilm and Disney's overexploration of The Dark Times. "There's still a dude in the back of the Mos Eisley's cantina in ANH we don't have a full 3-season show about," joked one fan, and another added, "You joke, but the Tales From Mos Eisley Cantina literally gave us the backstory of Han Solo's vest."

There are now 10, yes ten, projects set between the prequels and the original trilogy, and that's not counting Tales of the Jedi, which has episodes set slightly before. On the Star Wars timeline, Tales of the Empire, Tales of the Underworld, The Bad Batch, Maul – Shadow Lord, Solo: A Star Wars Story, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Andor, Star Wars Rebels, and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story all take place during that 19-year gap.

It doesn't look like Lucasfilm is quite finished with the period known as the Reign of the Empire, as Maul – Shadow Lord season 2 is already in production, and a third Star Wars Jedi games is expected to continue the story of Cal Kestis in this period. However, the franchise is exploring pastures new in Shawn Levy's Star Wars: Starfighter, which will take place approximately five years after The Rise of Skywalker. Starfighter hits cinemas on May 28, 2027.

For even more, check out our guide on how to watch Star Wars movies in order, and keep up with upcoming Star Wars movies and shows heading your way.

Star Wars series The Book of Boba Fett was met with a mixed reaction when it hit Disney Plus back in 2021. Critics were more up on the show than audiences, based on its divisive Rotten Tomatoes score, and there was a general consensus that the best episodes were when the series diverted course to tell The Mandalorian's story.

However, despite not winning over viewers, it seems that Lucasfilm may have considered a second season of the show at some point. Speaking at Fan Expo Philadelphia, Jonny Coyne, who played Lord Janu Coin in The Mandalorian and Grogu and briefly in The Mandalorian season 3, shared the insight.

"They said they were going to put me into [The Mandalorian] season 4, and maybe a possible Boba Fett episode as well, and then it all went away," he told audiences. "It all went away, and then the movie happened."

Per Screen Rant, it seems that Coyne was referring to conversations that happened after he appeared in The Mandalorian season 3, meaning that he can't have been referring to The Book of Boba Fett season 1. If this is true, then it does suggest that Lucasfilm was actively considering a second outing of the Temuera Morrison-led spin-off.

It seems quite unlikely that would happen now, but you never know what the higher-ups at Lucasfilm are considering next for the galaxy far, far away. What has been confirmed is Ahsoka season 2, which will be arriving in 2027. You can also check out all of the other upcoming Star Wars movies and shows that have been confirmed.

Andor might be a direct prequel to Rogue One, but it does have one key difference with the movie – its tone.

While Andor is a gritty political thriller, Rogue One still has more of an edge to it, but is less intense than the show.

"I watched Rogue One right after the finale of Andor and they really are played completely differently," says one person on Reddit. "The characters are paper thin in the movie compared to the depth they all get in the show, the pacing is far quicker and there's never a moment to [ruminate] on things. Now some of these are expected because one is a blockbuster movie and the other is a methodical serial television show so the very medium they're both in pretty much means they will feel different."

"When I rewatched Rogue One right after I finished Andor, I was struck by how mystical the former seemed in comparison to the latter," says another fan. The Force does play a part in Andor season 2, but in only a few scenes.

"The tonal changes between R1 and Andor have quite a bit to do with format and genre. One was a single movie, and the other a 24 episode series; one was basically a war movie focused on a specific action and the circumstances that led up to it, and the other was a political/espionage thriller. Also, there were differences in writing and production style that impacted tone for each," argues someone else.

"I find R1 waaaay colder and emotionally distant than Andor," says another person, while another says: "I cared about the characters in Andor and... not in the other"

"Cassian in Andor doesn't perfectly line up with Cassian in Rogue One, but it's close enough," says someone else.

"My biggest gripe with the Andor/Rogue One 'Trilogy' is that Rogue One uses the classic, lighter music and emotional themes. It has those momentary flashes of whimsy that the OT/PT/ST have. Also, while I loved C3PO and R2 on first release, their very brief presence did disrupt the flow a bit on rewatches, and after Andor, I actively dislike them showing up," is another person's take. "I know Andor Cut fixes most continuity errors that were introduced from what I understand, but it's unfortunate that the official release is so tonally different from Andor from purely an entertainment standpoint."

Andor season 2 ends just moments before Rogue One begins, with Cassian Andor setting off on the mission that will eventually lead to him helping steal the Death Star plans on Scarif.

Next up for Star Wars is Ahsoka season 2, which has a release window of early 2027. The Mandalorian and Grogu is currently in theaters.

You can keep up to date with everything else on the way with our guide to all the upcoming Star Wars movies and shows.

The Acolyte season 2 would have connected to the sequels through Manny Jacinto's Qimir, showrunner Leslye Headland has said.

The Star Wars show was scrapped in 2024, reportedly for low viewership, though it was actually Disney Plus's second most-watched show of the year. This year, the show had a resurgence and returned to the streamer's top 10, apparently bolstered by Maul – Shadow Lord.

"I'm having a resurgence of The Acolyte in my real life," Headland told Empire magazine. "I speak with people who are really big fans, and were disappointed in the cancelation. I went to a play last night, and somebody was like, 'I just have to tell you that I loved it.'"

Headland also explained that she'd be happy to return to Star Wars. "I would still want to do it! Absolutely," she said. "As more people discover it, I think people may want to see some form of the story come back."

As for what that might look like, Headland revealed more. "We did have a lot of stuff that we wanted to explore – including tying in lore to the sequels," she shared. "Getting into who exactly Manny [Jacinto]'s character is, his connection with [Jedi Master] Vernestra, his connection with [Sith Lord] Plagueis, and then his connection with other sequel-established things."

Jacinto's Stranger, AKA Qimir, did appear to have some kind of relation to Kylo Ren, as hinted at by a musical cue in the show.

A new Star Wars book has also enhanced The Acolyte lore with a reference to Vernestra. "Some even say that it was during this brightest of times that the Sith began to crawl their way back out of the darkness," says Luke Skywalker of the High Republic in the updated version of Marc Sumerak's Star Wars: The Secrets of the Jedi, subtitled The Chronicles of Luke Skywalker. "There are even whispers that legendary Jedi like Vernestra Rwoh may have been complicit in their return. But we may never know for sure."

Next up for Star Wars is Ahsoka season 2, which is arriving in early 2027. The Mandalorian and Grogu is currently in theaters.

You can see everything else the galaxy far, far away has in store with our guide to all the upcoming Star Wars movies and shows.

Skeleton Crew season 2 might be possible, star Kerry Condon has revealed.

The Star Wars show debuted in December 2024 to a very positive Rotten Tomatoes score of 92%, but, since then, updates on its future have been scarce.

"I mean, I heard maybe possibly, but I don't know," Kerry Condon, who played Fara, mother of youngster Fern, told Screen Rant. "You never know in this business, but I really hope so because I thought the kids were great."

Skeleton Crew followed a bunch of kids who, after accidentally leaving their planet, have to try and find their way back home – only, nobody has heard of their planet, and it also turns out to be the rumored home of legendary treasure.

Jude Law starred as Jod Na Nawood, while Nick Frost voiced droid SM-33. The young cast was made up of Kyriana Kratter as KB, Ravi Cabot-Conyers as Wim, Ryan Kiera Armstrong as Fern, and Robert Timothy Smith as Neel.

While the show was well received, its debut didn't make it into the Nielsen top 10, with its first two episodes netting only 382 million minutes watched in their first week. That's the lowest of any live-action Star Wars show.

Still, a recent Production Weekly update said Skeleton Crew season 2 is "in development," so more could well be on the way.

Our own Skeleton Crew review awarded the show 4 stars, calling the show "a fun adventure story with lots of promise for Star Wars TV."

We'll just have to wait and see what happens next for Skeleton Crew, but in the meantime, Star Wars has returned to the big screen for the first time in seven years with The Mandalorian and Grogu, which is currently playing in theaters.

Up next is Ahsoka season 2, which has an early 2027 release window.

Until then, get up to speed on everything else the galaxy far, far away has in store with our guide to all the upcoming Star Wars movies and shows.

The first Star Wars movie in seven years, The Mandalorian and Grogu, is now playing in theaters. But before Disney scooped up Lucasfilm for a cool $4.5bn, Star Wars was in a very precarious place, and Ahsoka voice actor Ashley Eckstein credits animated series The Clone Wars with turning that around.

Speaking at MCM Expo, where the cast of The Clone Wars were reunited on stage, Eckstein talked about being a Star Wars pioneer, as the voice of Jedi Padawan Ahsoka Tano on The Clone Wars.

“For us, it’s easy to forget, but when Clone Wars was on the air, there was no other Star Wars. We thought Star Wars was done," Eckestein said. "This was before Disney bought it and we were the only thing on the air… Without the success of Clone Wars we might not be seeing Mandalorian, Boba Fett, etcetera.”

It's a fair point, as much of Star Wars' recent output (Andor aside) has spun out from the world established by The Clone Wars. The Mandalorian season 3, in particular, featured numerous story threads that tied back to The Clone Wars, while Ahsoka, Maul – Shadow Lord, and The Bad Batch all pick up with characters and events depicted in The Clone Wars and Rebels.

Whether this is a good thing for Star Wars is debatable. The Mandalorian season 3 is widely considered the show's weakest season, in part because of its connections to Star Wars' animated output. The influence is plain as day, though: Rebels fan-favorite Zeb Orrelios plays a noteworthy supporting role in The Mandalorian and Grogu, while Ahsoka season 2 will further the story of The Clone Wars and Rebels in live action.

Originally, The Mandalorian season 4 would have set up the new season of Ahsoka in a major way, but Favreau started from scratch after pivoting to a feature instead of a new season. As it stands, The Mandalorian and Grogu continues the adventures of Din Djarin and his tiny green ward. But despite being a "standalone" story, the new movie does feature "subtle stuff that relates to Ahsoka season 2." We've got a wait to find out what, exactly, as Ahsoka season 2 won't hit Disney Plus until early 2027.

The Mandalorian and Grogu is in theaters now. For more, check out our list of upcoming Star Wars movies or here's how to watch The Clone Wars in order.

Looking for what to remember before The Mandalorian and Grogu? Then this is the Way. The first season of The Mandalorian dropped way back in 2019, so your memory of Din Djarin and Din Grogu's adventures might be a little fuzzy.

Below, we've rounded up everything you need to remember before The Mandalorian and Grogu in a Mandalorian recap, so you can get up to speed at a glance. There are six crucial Star Wars plot points that are essential to remember, and we've got them all detailed here.

So, for all you need to know, head on down to our recap. For more, check out our guide to all the upcoming Star Wars movies and shows.

The Mandalorian recap

Mando originally finds Grogu as a bounty target

Din Djarin meets baby Grogu in quite an unconventional way: a mysterious Imperial by the name of the Client tasks Mando with tracking down a 50-year old bounty. When Mando arrives, the bounty is actually a tiny, green baby.

From the outset, Mando protects him, shooting the bounty hunting droid IG-11 to prevent him from hurting the baby. While Mando does initially hand over Grogu to the Empire, he soon has a change of heart and goes back to rescue him. The fearsome Imperial Moff Gideon, however, continues to attempt to track them down.

Grogu trains with Luke Skywalker

Mando and Grogu have plenty of adventures together and start to develop a father and son bond, but Din Djarin is on a quest to return the baby to his own kind: the Jedi. Ahsoka Tano refuses to train the youngling because of Grogu's strong attachment to Mando, but, after Din Djarin takes his charge to the planet Tython, Grogu calls out to a Jedi. But, the baby is kidnapped by Dark Troopers and the Razor Crest is destroyed in the process.

Later, when Mando and his pals go to save Grogu from Moff Gideon, none other than Luke Skywalker shows up to save the baby and take him away to be trained. Mando and Grogu share an emotional goodbye, and Grogu leaves with Luke.

Mando and Grogu reunite in The Book of Boba Fett

This part of the story is easily missed if you didn't realise The Book of Boba Fett was essential viewing. In the show, Din Djarin returns and goes to visit Grogu at Jedi school. Only, Luke and Ahsoka are reluctant to let Mando see the youngling, because of that pesky attachment rule. So, Mando leaves without seeing his former ward, but not before leaving behind a gift of Beskar chainmail.

Luke, sensing Grogu's heart might not be fully in his Padawan training, gives Grogu a choice between Yoda's lightsaber or the chainmail from Mando. Grogu makes his choice off-screen, but we learn the outcome when he returns to Tatooine in Luke's X-wing, rocking the Beskar vest. Peli Motto then takes Grogu back to Mando, and they reunite mid-battle as Din Djarin helps his old friend Boba Fett with his crime syndicate problems.

Mando will no longer remove his helmet

While Din Djarin had his helmet removed in season 1 by IG-11 in order to heal him, then took it off twice in season 2 for Grogu's sake, in season 3, he is dedicated to cleansing himself and keeping the helmet on. His Creed as a Child of the Watch means he is forbidden from letting others see his face. In season 3, he cleanses himself in the Living Waters of Mandalore, and so he earns forgiveness from removing his helmet.

"It's an interesting proposition," director Jon Favreau told us of whether Din Djarin's understanding of his Creed has changed. "Throughout the series, we had met different Mandalorians from different backgrounds, and each embraces a different part of the Mandalorian creed. Din Djarin comes from a tradition where the helmet stays on. Of course, Bo-Katan and others take the helmet off. And what's interesting now is we have a character that's going to be potentially both Jedi and Mandalorian in Grogu, and we'll see what his path is."

Imperial Remnants are a threat

While the Empire was destroyed in Return of the Jedi, Imperial Remnants – survivors of the old regime – still lurk in the galaxy. In The Mandalorian season 3, we see a gathering of them in the Shadow Council, plotting to restore the Empire (and hoping for Grand Admiral Thrawn's return). Moff Gideon is one such Remnant, though, at the end of season 3, he is killed in a fiery blaze.

In The Mandalorian and Grogu, the duo are tasked with tracking down an ex-Imperial warlord by the name of Commander Coin.

Mando adopts Grogu

At the end of The Mandalorian season 3, Din Djarin formally adopts Grogu, who becomes Din Grogu. That also means Grogu is now Mando's apprentice, and Mando is teaching him the Way of a Mandalorian.

"Grogu is now a Mandalorian apprentice," Favreau told us. "He's been tasked with that, for those people who had watched the show. If you hadn't watched the show, what you need to know is that he is now going to be a Mandalorian in training, and so his father and teacher is taking him along on the adventures. What we learn through this is that Grogu's quite capable, but also Din Djarin, the Mandalorian, is a very good protector, and so he's always going to look out. And I think it's the next stage of their relationship, both as a father and son, but also as a teacher and an apprentice."

The Mandalorian and Grogu arrives this May 22. In the meantime, check out our guide to watching all the Star Wars movies in order, or read our The Mandalorian and Grogu review.

The Mandalorian and Grogu Watch Party Island is here, as promised, and the Stars Wars collaboration with Fortnite has shifted into an entirely new gear. I'd previously argued that I didn't think anyone was prepared for the amount of Star Wars that was about to hit Fortnite – and that very much applies here as the new island is more than just a bunch of set dressing around the edges of a screening experience.

But that screening experience is absolutely the initial draw, and everyone knows it. The Fortnite island has a message from Jon Favreau on top of a 10-minute sneak peek of the upcoming Star Wars film several days before it's actually in theaters on May 22. If you're the kind of Star Wars fan that just has to see the movie as early as possible and you're not a reviewer or critic, this is your shot. Additionally, Favreau will also have a Q&A airing in the Fortnite island's amphitheater on May 26.

When I say it's "more than just a bunch of set dressing," I'm speaking from experience. Ahead of the new Star Wars Fortnite island's launch, I was able to play around in and explore the world of Nevarro created by Fairview Portals and Beyond Creative. Collecting bounties, fighting off enemies at a moment's notice, playing the role of pit fighter, and even hopping on a speeder briefly at one point. And, of course, helping Grogu.

After spending some time on Nevarro, I was able to speak with some of the developers at Fairview Portals to better understand the work that went into the experience – and working with Epic, UEFN, Favreau, and more.

The following interview has been lightly edited for clarity and brevity.

GamesRadar+: How do you balance bringing people who maybe are not familiar with the show or the upcoming movie, while also people who are very intimately familiar?

Jeff Brown (games director at Fairview Portals): Huge consideration from us and the whole team, including Jon. First of all, we identified that the Watch Party was a great opportunity for us, and having that around the time of the film launch, but also we wanted to make sure that that was expanded. Epic's done other watch party islands, but they're just not as expansive; there's not as much going on. So we saw the opportunity to kind of really dig in. And Jon proposed Nevarro for many reasons, of course, in terms of us being able to build something that's that's authentic, but also it was important to have one of everything, something for everyone. So we can go on quests, you can just get right into the action, you can go watch the previews for the film. It was always important for us to be able to include lots of variety to help folks that aren't as tuned into Fortnite.

GR+: As you're building this, is there anything like, 'Oh, we've got to have this. This is a part of this that has to be present'?

Matt Burdette (lead artist at Fairview Portals): I mean, we're building this under Jon's roof. So we have complete unfettered access to everything we could have needed to do this, like build a pinpoint-accurate Nevarro – we had blueprints, we had set photos, we had concept art. Pretty much anything at all we needed, we had available to us, which basically left no excuse to not build a one-to-one of some of these environments. And we also were pretty clear up front to say, 'If it exists in the show, if there's a canonical version of this that's in the show, we're gonna do it.' And we pretty much did, so.

GR+: …How big is it? I played what I thought was a good chunk of it, but I could tell there was definitely even more than that. Like, there's a lot there on the island.

JB: It's a good, complete representation of the city of Nevarro, with some changes for gameplay. But it's about everything that you would expect to be in the city. And then we knew that we had to have the shipyard, and, of course, the homestead, so it just kind of expanded from there. It's a celebration of the show, so it was important to include the things that everyone knew of it.

GR+: When you were initially visualizing what this would be, was it always sort of this, or was there an earlier version of this that you iterated from?

JB: It definitely evolved a little bit over time. Nevarro was always the thing that we wanted to do; it just had to be scaled appropriately. So I think when we first went in, there were a lot of ideas for stuff that we could do, and that ultimately had to be pared down to something that fit within the timeframe. And that was a process, working with Epic, working with Andre [Balta, senior director at Epic Games] just to find the essence of what we should do.

There was so much that we could have done, but I feel like we've kind of clawed back a lot of things that were in the original spec. So there's a lot of things that – and little details, little Easter eggs – are in there too, that we managed to put in.

GR+: What's the most difficult thing about building a Fortnite creation like this?

JB: That first part's really easy for us. Matt and I have been working together for a long time in full-fat Unreal Engine, and this is our first project in UEFN, which there's a learning curve, as anyone that's worked in this flavor of Unreal would tell you. I think that we've dealt with everything in a good way.

There's a limiting factor there, but it's also sort of a creative box that you learn to stay within, and you end up having to come up with a lot of creative solutions, which we have, and honestly, teaming up with, Beyond Creative, they've been great, and we've learned a lot about how to how to develop for the engine.

GR+: And how does adding Star Wars to the mix complicate all that, if at all?

MB: Well, I mean, you just have to make sure that you're, again, sticking to the authenticism of it. You can't phone it in like. You really have to stick to what makes Star Wars Star Wars. You have to pay attention to the details. You kind of just have to treat it as gospel. That requires a pretty enormous amount of vigilance, but it's like the proof is in the pudding as you do that, you really can feel it come out as you continue to build it.

JB: Yeah, there's spaces that don't exist in Nevarro either. So that was kind of a big challenge. But luckily, we had Doug Chiang [SVP and executive design director at Lucasfilm] as a resource, who was incredible, and he would come in and give us a lot of advice for the areas that Matt was building that are specific to the island that you wouldn't see in the show or the film.

MB: Doug Chiang had some fantastic feedback for us. Every time we met with him, the needle moved forward significantly. So it was great having him with us.

The Mandalorian and Grogu Watch Party Island is now available in Fortnite. If you're interested in more about the movie, you can check out all of our previous coverage of The Mandalorian and Grogu.

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I'm sorry to say that the epidemic 'Baby Yoda' fever is back now that the movie is Force-jumping onto theater screens, and there's a lot of Mandalorian and Grogu merch floating around as a result. However, not all of it is created equal.

To help you sort the beskar from rubbish, I'm doing my best bounty hunter impression and bringing in the best Mandalorian and Grogu merch. I've trawled through almost all the collectibles out there, so am bringing you recommendations based on a mix of personal experience, user reviews, best-sellers, and the coolest-looking gear. As an example, I'd always suggest looking at Black Series action figures; they're always phenomenally detailed and surprisingly affordable, which puts them high on our list of the best toys. Similarly, Loungefly bags are never less than... so they've earned a place here too.

You'll find goodies across a range of prices, too. No matter your budget, you should be able to find something to delight you on this list of the best Mandalorian and Grogu merch. This is the way.

For more from a galaxy far, far away, don't miss the best Star Wars toys or the best Lego sets.

Lucasfilm co-president Dave Filoni has revealed he originally contemplated making the Disney Plus show Ahsoka as a movie.

"We'll see, I mean obviously we needed both," Filoni said at The Mandalorian and Grogu premiere, when asked by News18 Showsha whether the focus moving forwards was movies or shows, before going on to talk about the saga's cinematic legacy and upcoming 50th anniversary.

"I love what I've been able to do," he added. "I couldn't figure out how to make Ahsoka into a film, way back when, even before I started working with Jon [Favreau]. So after working with Jon, I'm like, 'Oh, I get it, it's a series.' And so some stories work better for that, and some stories are movies, and I think we need it all. I think it's all part of what drives the big eco-system that is Star Wars."

Ahsoka Tano was introduced as the young Padawan of Anakin Skywalker in the 2008 Clone Wars movie, which was directed by Filoni. She went on to appear in the Clone Wars TV show and Star Wars Rebels, before making the jump to live-action in The Mandalorian season 2, played by Rosario Dawson. She appeared again in The Book of Boba Fett, before leading her own show, aptly titled Ahsoka.

Ahsoka season 2 isn't coming until 2027, but we still know enough to start getting excited. At Star Wars Celebration 2025, it was revealed that the show will feature battles across two galaxies, Admiral Ackbar facing off against Grand Admiral Thrawn, and the return of Hayden Christensen. Rory McCann will take over the role of Baylan Skoll from the late Ray Stevenson.

The Mandalorian and Grogu arrives this May 22. While you wait, check out our guide to all the upcoming Star Wars movies and shows for everything else the galaxy far, far away has in store.

While Ahsoka season 2 might not be coming until 2027, there's still plenty to get excited about.

The show will pick up the story of Anakin Skywalker's former Padawan in the aftermath of season 1's cliffhanger, which saw Ahsoka Tano and Sabine Wren stranded on Peridea, while Grand Admiral Thrawn and Ezra Bridger escaped home.

The Mandalorian and Grogu director Jon Favreau has previously revealed he has seen all of Ahsoka season 2, after the original plan for The Mandalorian season 4 was to help set up Dave Filoni's show.

When we met with Favreau in London to talk about The Mandalorian and Grogu, we asked if there was anything he could reveal about what he saw.

"It's a culmination for him [Dave Filoni] of not just what he's done in live television, starting with the episodes that he directed of The Mandalorian, especially introducing Ahsoka in live-action, but this is a character that he created with George, and this has been the centerpiece of his work as a storyteller," Favreau says.

"And as he transitions to running Lucasfilm, I think he's putting a lot of effort into honoring and giving a sense of continuity, and, to some extent, completion to that arc, and he has tremendous care with it," he continues. "And he also understands the high level implications of what's going on throughout the galaxy, and in the World Between Worlds, and with all the characters that have been established in canon within live-action Star Wars, but also extended universe and novels.

"And he pulls the best from everywhere, and he weaves it all together very well, and much like he did that with what happened with the prequels and what happened with Clone Wars and with Rebels, all of it ties together and threads," Favreau adds. "He's giving a lot of thought to how Ahsoka fits into the overall, overarching continuity."

The Mandalorian and Grogu arrives in theaters this May 22.

While you wait, check out our guide to all the upcoming Star Wars movies and shows for everything else the galaxy far, far away has in store.

A new Star Wars book has revealed some fascinating information about the return of the Sith in the High Republic era.

In the updated edition of Marc Sumerak's Star Wars: The Secrets of the Jedi, which now has the subtitle The Chronicles of Luke Skywalker, it turns out Vernestra Rwoh might have helped the Sith make a comeback.

The book is "written" by Luke Skywalker in 34 ABY (AKA 34 years after he blew up the Death Star on the Star Wars timeline) and features the legendary Jedi's reflections on major events in the galaxy. Writing about the High Republic, as shared by a fan on Twitter, Luke says: "Legends passed down across the years tell how the Jedi of the High Republic faced a number of grave threats, including a carnivorous species of plants known as the Drengir, ruthless marauders called the Nihil, and a mysterious group of nameless beings who were said to have fed on the Force itself.

"Some even say that it was during this brightest of times that the Sith began to crawl their way back out of the darkness. There are even whispers that legendary Jedi like Vernestra Rwoh may have been complicit in their return. But we may never know for sure."

Vernestra was seen in live-action in The Acolyte, and, based on what we saw of her in the canceled show, it certainly makes sense that she might have inadvertently helped the Sith return. After all, the Stranger was her Padawan before he fell to the dark side, and, at the end of the show, she makes the decision to blame the events of the series on Master Sol in a cover up, rather than share the truth.

In a cliffhanger that may never be resolved, Darth Plagueis also had a cameo in the show, apparently training Qimir. Plagueis is eventually Palpatine's Sith Master, and Palpatine, of course, causes the downfall of the Jedi and takes over the galaxy as the Emperor.

This isn't the only thing the new book has revealed, either: it turns out Luke Skywalker knows Cal Kestis survived Order 66.

Next up for Star Wars is The Mandalorian and Grogu, which arrives this May 22. In the meantime, check out our guide to all the upcoming Star Wars movies and shows for everything else the galaxy far, far away has in store.

In surprising news, Ahsoka season 2 won't arrive until early 2027.

The Star Wars show was previously expected to release in 2026, which Lucasfilm even seemed to recently confirm.

However, at Disney's Upfront showcase, Ahsoka Tano actor Rosario Dawson took to the stage to reveal that the Disney Plus show has a premiere window of early 2027.

"It's truly special seeing all the love from fans out there for Ahsoka and her crew," she said (via StarWars.com). "I can tell you this season, the battles are bigger and the stakes are higher. We cannot wait for you to see."

Those in attendance were also treated to a sizzle reel featuring space battles, lightsaber fights, and Hayden Christensen's Anakin Skywalker.

Ahsoka's new release window means that 2026 will be the first year since 2019 without a live-action Star Wars show: 2019 had The Mandalorian season 1, 2020 had The Mandalorian season 2, 2021 had The Book of Boba Fett, 2022 had Obi-Wan Kenobi and Andor, 2023 had The Mandalorian season 3 and Ahsoka, 2024 had The Acolyte and Skeleton Crew, and 2025 had Andor season 2.

But, this year has already seen the release of the animated Maul – Shadow Lord, while The Mandalorian and Grogu, the first Star Wars movie in seven years, is hitting the big screen imminently. Next year, meanwhile, will also see the release of Star Wars: Starfighter.

At Star Wars Celebration 2025, Dave Filoni revealed that Ahsoka season 2 would feature a showdown between Admiral Ackbar and Grand Admiral Thrawn, and a behind-closed-doors first look (of sorts) teased battles across different galaxies and giant, evil droids. Plus, Christensen himself revealed he would be returning, while Rory McCann taking over as Baylan Skoll from the late Ray Stevenson was also confirmed.

While Ahsoka season 2 doesn't have a firm release date just yet, May 2027 will mark the 50th anniversary of the original Star Wars movie, and Star Wars Celebration returns to LA in April. So, it wouldn't be too surprising if Ahsoka season 2's release date was planned so that episodes are dropping through at least one of these events.

The Mandalorian and Grogu arrives this May 22. While you wait, check out our guide to all the upcoming Star Wars movies and TV shows, or see our interview with director Jon Favreau on bringing Star Wars back to the big screen and Grogu's Jedi journey.

The Mandalorian and Grogu might be right around the corner, but there's another Star Wars release still to come this year: Ahsoka season 2.

The Disney Plus show will pick up after the cliffhanger ending of season 1, which saw Ahsoka Tano and Sabine Wren stranded on Peridea, while Grand Admiral Thrawn and Ezra Bridger escaped back to the main galaxy.

"Working on it, working on it, it's coming," creator Dave Filoni told Screen Rant. "It's come a long way, obviously. I'm editing it, all the episodes at once, right now, and deep in visual effects with the team but really proud of everyone, the work they've put in. Lots of things to resolve and figure out, but that's normal. And I'm excited for people to see it, you know we didn't really get to go out and premiere in a way last time so I think the team's really excited to be out with the fans with this one and see how it goes."

Filoni added he "might know" when it will release but wouldn't clarify when, then responded to a social media rumor that this would be the last season: "Really? Never know. Everything works as planned and I know where the story goes and where it should tie up, and so I'm not really worried about that. But, fan speculation is always fun. It's always fun to hear what people think. But we've got a lot going on right now in the present, see, like a Jedi, you must keep your mind in the here and now. We got Maul and we got Mando happening, so it's very exciting."

Maul – Shadow Lord recently wrapped up on Disney Plus with a cameo and showdown Star Wars fans have been waiting 27 years for, and Maul – Shadow Lord season 2 has already been confirmed.

The Mandalorian and Grogu, meanwhile, will pick up with Din Djarin and his tiny green charge on another adventure, this time involving Rotta the Hutt.

The film arrives this May 22. In the meantime, check out our guide to all the upcoming Star Wars movies and shows for everything else the galaxy far, far away has in store.

Maul – Shadow Lord star Sam Witwer says those flashbacks in episode 8 were confusing to fans on purpose, but for a much deeper reason than you might think.

"Brad, very smartly, along with Dave (Filoni)’s help, and Matt (Michnovetz), he made sure that everything we saw in those 'flashbacks,'" Witwer explained on the My Mom's Basement Podcast. "Are they flashbacks? Seems like a vision? Is a vision a flashback? How does that work? Because nothing that we see in those visions matches up with The Clone Wars or The Phantom Menace. They're different. People saying things in a different order, you know, and the audience can take from that what they will. They can try to interpret why. We know why we did it that way. Brad knows why he did it that way."

In Maul - Shadow Lord episode 8, Maul is beside himself after losing a battle with Marrok and the Eleventh Brother. As he walks alone and reflects, he is suddenly plagued with a series of visions that are presented to the viewer as flashbacks. And here's where things get a little confusing: these flashbacks involve various events throughout Maul's life that made him what he is today... but they're different to the way they play out in canon.

Is the show retconning or changing Star Wars canon? Not quite. This is sort of how trauma works sometimes: the memories can change over time, therefore turning the survivor into an unreliable narrator. What Maul sees, and what the viewer sees, isn't necessarily what actually happened. As Witwer says, it's all in Maul's head.

Added Witwer: "But, going along with that, Brad said, ‘It needs to be your voice with all the characters. Young Savage, Sidious, Young Maul, because this is Maul's, while it's a vision, it's also his remembrance, so this is all in his head."

All 10 episodes of Maul – Shadow Lord are streaming now on Disney Plus. For more, check out our Maul – Shadow Lord review, or our guide on how to watch The Clone Wars in order.

The Maul – Shadow Lord finale finally brought us the Maul vs. Vader showdown we've been waiting 27 years for… and it also snuck in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it reference to Luke Skywalker, too.

In the episode, Darth Vader also fought Jedi Padawan Devon Izara and her Master Eeko-Dio Daki. During his clash with Daki, Vader hits the Jedi Master with his lightsaber over and over again from above, in a move that you might recognize from Return of the Jedi. In the throne room scene of that Star Wars movie, Luke Skywalker used the same attack on Vader when he was in danger of slipping to the dark side. Check out a comparison below.

Vader eventually killed Daki after Maul betrayed the Jedi and Force pushed him closer to the Sith Lord. Only Brander Lawson saw what Maul did, though he stayed behind to sacrifice himself and allow the others to escape. In the aftermath, Devon finally agreed to be trained by Maul. You can read more in our Maul – Shadow Lord ending explained.

Luckily, Maul – Shadow Lord season 2 has already been confirmed, so we hopefully won't have long to wait to see what happens next. One thing that could be on the cards is Devon eventually becoming Talon, a character from George Lucas's scrapped plans for the sequel trilogy.

"We can't give away too much," supervising director Brad Rau told us of Talon speculation before the show aired. "We have heard a lot of the fan theories and speculations, and we are fascinated by them. We'll just put it at that, leave it at that."

Next up for Star Wars is The Mandalorian and Grogu, which lands in theaters this May 22. In the meantime, check out our guide to all the upcoming Star Wars movies and shows for everything else the galaxy far, far away has in store.

Following the Maul – Shadow Lord season 1 finale, it sounds as though Star Wars fans have a newfound respect for Obi-Wan Kenobi and how powerful the Jedi master actually is.

Warning: the following contains major spoilers for Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord season 1 episode 10, so turn back now if you haven't caught up.

The Shadow Lord season finale has finally given what we have all been waiting for, a showdown between Darth Vader and Maul. The two go head to head, but it seems as though Maul doesn't realise that it is actually Anakin under the mask. This aside, Maul knows he cannot defeat the Sith lord, so he brings the roof down on Vader, and he and Devon manage to escape. You can read more about the battle in our Maul – Shadow Lord ending explained.

However, Maul running away from Vader seems to have made a lot of Star Wars fans see Obi-Wan Kenobi in a new light, as after all, he is the only one who has been able to defeat Vader. Well, nearly. "After watching Episode 10 of Maul: Shadow Lord, it really hit me just how powerful this man truly is," said one fan on Reddit.

Many agreed, and one fan replied, "Obi-Wan was the second to last Jedi Master. His knight trial was literally facing a Sith Lord alone." Another added, "He's also the best defensive duelist in the order, possibly even of all time," pointing out his fight with General Grievous, "Obi-Wan had him figuratively and literally disarmed and on the run in mere minutes."

Obi-Wan taught Anakin Skywalker everything he needed to know about becoming a Jedi. However, after being manipulated by Palpatine, Anakin turned to the dark side and on Kenobi, which led to their fiery battle in Revenge of the Sith. Obi-Wan managed to overpower Anakin, severing his limbs. However, he survived his wounds and the lava and was turned into the metal-limbed leader, Darth Vader.

Other fans in the chain pointed out that Obi-Wan was able to beat Vader because he trained him. However, others say that just makes their battles more exciting. "They were so in sync with each other that a good chunk of their fights is them making moves the other knows and not knowing what move to make to throw them off guard," and another added, "I will also defend the fight in A New Hope when both of them have developed so far, and are barely moving, because both are reading each others slightest micro movements"

The two have had rematches in A New Hope and in episodes three and six of the Obi-Wan Kenobi series, but the Sith Lord was finally killed in Return of the Jedi due to his suit malfunctioning after he threw Emperor Palpatine down the reactor shaft.

Maul – Shadow Lord season 1 is available to stream on Disney Plus. For more, check out our guide on how to watch The Clone Wars in order, and keep up with upcoming Star Wars movies and shows on the way.

The Maul – Shadow Lord finale gave Star Wars fans what we've been waiting almost 30 years for: a showdown between Maul and Darth Vader.

Vader appears at the very end of episode 9, and then he fights against Devon Izara, her Master Eeko-Dio Daki, and Maul throughout episode 10. They prove to be no match for this Sith Lord, however – and that's all without Vader speaking a single word.

At an event for the final two episodes, Lucasfilm co-president Dave Filoni expanded on his thoughts on Vader.

"The key to Vader for me is that he's not Anakin," Filoni explained (via io9). "He doesn't recognize that. He can't. Anything that reminds him of Anakin, he's going to destroy. So when he sees a Jedi, he's going to destroy the Jedi, because the Jedi would remind him unconsciously or consciously that he betrayed all of his friends and everything he knew and the life he grew up with. For what? For nothing. He lost everything. He made a bad trade. He was lied to. He was deceived. He can't accept that truth. So he’s even farther down the path than Maul."

Filoni's explanation is very bleak, but also fits Vader perfectly. "Maul is struggling to let go of hate, but Anakin got consumed by it," he added. "If he were to face what he did, it would destroy him more. I find a lot of pity for him because of what he did and the depth of his treachery. And that's Darth Vader. Anakin's trapped in there somewhere, and Darth Vader won't let him surface. And so to me, the key is not to actually give him a character. He's devoid of it because he doesn't care. Darth Vader does not care. He does not have compassion. He does not see you. He sees the thing he wants to destroy, and he will do that. It's like the same feeling you got in Rogue One when he comes down the hallway. He doesn't talk to those guys. He's going to destroy them. He has one mission, and all of his remorse and all of his anger and all of his hate is in every swing that he does. That's how it’s resolved."

Finally, Filoni referred to Vader's battle with Ahsoka Tano in Star Wars Rebels, as well as his eventual redemption. "And [when] he saw Ahsoka, he wants to destroy her," he said. "She, of all people, would remind him of who he was. He's like, 'I gotta destroy that. I can't face that.' Obi-Wan, he wants to destroy him. So he is a destroyer, Darth Vader. And critically, only his son, only his offspring, could make him spark, could make him see something. But at first, selfishly, [he said] 'You and I can rule the galaxy.' That's where he goes. He doesn't come all the way back. It's a long process."

All of this explains very well why Vader wouldn't speak: he's purely in destroyer mode, with no room for anything else.

The Maul – Shadow Lord ending saw Maul betray Daki and Force push him closer to Vader, essentially sacrificing the Jedi Master to ensure his own escape. Naturally, Vader killed Daki, which Devon witnessed – and which cleared the way for her to finally accept Maul's training. That leaves things open for Maul – Shadow Lord season 2, and it also might be pointing to Devon eventually becoming Talon from George Lucas's original sequel trilogy plans.

"We can't give away too much," supervising director Brad Rau told us of Talon speculation before the show aired. "We have heard a lot of the fan theories and speculations, and we are fascinated by them. We'll just put it at that, leave it at that."

You can stream all episodes of Maul – Shadow Lord on Disney Plus now. For more, check out our Maul – Shadow Lord review, or our guide on how to watch The Clone Wars in order.

The Maul – Shadow Lord season 1 finale was certainly huge, featuring an epic showdown with Darth Vader and the tragic death of Devon Izara's Master, Eeko-Dio Daki.

But, amid all the big moments, some answers to major questions about Maul raised by Star Wars Rebels can be found.

When we see Maul for the first time in Rebels, he walks with a cane, and his double-bladed red lightsaber appears to be a modified version of an Inquisitor blade.

In the Shadow Lord ending, Maul gives half of his lightsaber to Devon so she can fight the Eleventh Brother after losing her own, while Maul's mechanical legs – which had already sustained damage earlier in the season – are repeatedly attacked by Vader.

"Finally seeing why Maul walks with a cane, why one half of his lightsaber is taken from an Inquisitor's blade, and why he knew he couldn't take Vader on alone in Rebels is just so great! A really great way to fill in the blanks!" says one fan on Twitter.

While Maul's Rebels lightsaber does appear to be a full Inquisitor blade, and not half of one, Shadow Lord still makes a clear connection between Maul and the Inquisitorious by having the ex-Sith go up against Marrok and the Eleventh Brother. Establishing what is likely to be an ongoing rivalry might explain how Maul ends up with an Inquisitor's blade, even if it can't be Marrok's or the Eleventh Brother's (Marrok has his lightsaber in Ahsoka and the Eleventh Brother is later killed by Ahsoka Tano, as seen in Tales of the Jedi).

Maul also has the lightsaber in his brief cameo in Solo: A Star Wars Story, which is set around a decade after Shadow Lord and roughly six years before Maul's Rebels appearance on the Star Wars timeline. So, Maul will likely obtain his new lightsaber soon – perhaps in Shadow Lord season 2, and perhaps because he gives both halves of his other lightsaber (the original from The Phantom Menace) to Devon.

As for the cane, Maul does appear to be pretending to need it to gain Ezra Bridger's trust, but it also could be a legitimate need. While he would have plenty of time to get his legs fixed in the next decades, Vader might have caused lasting damage, or made them more prone to breaking again.

And, Maul's belief in Rebels that he can't take on Vader alone is likely based on his duel in Shadow Lord… though the duo could meet again in the years before Rebels takes place. It all remains to be seen.

You can stream all episodes of Maul – Shadow Lord on Disney Plus now. For more on the show, check out our Maul – Shadow Lord review, or our guide on how to watch The Clone Wars in order to catch up on Maul's story.

Star Wars fans feel like May 4th passed them by, as there was a surprising lack of news or announcements from the galaxy far, far away.

"Did star wars even do anything for may 4th. Any announcements? Or like did the maul finale drop and that was it," one fan wrote on Twitter.

"I was really expecting them to capitalize on the success of Hail Mary and promote Ryan Gosling in Starfighter leading up to Mando and Grogu but there was nothing once again Disney is fumbling the marketing," replied someone else. Star Wars: Starfighter is set to hit theaters in 2027.

"I really thought we were gonna have Ahsoka’s season two news but i was FOOLED," wrote another. Ahsoka season 2 has seemingly been confirmed for release this year, but very little has been revealed about the new installment yet.

"Was pretty much mainly the final two episodes of Maul: Shadow Lord. But honestly, with how incredible they were, that was more than enough for me," said another, more satisfied, fan.

Season 1 of animated series Maul – Shadow Lord came to an end this Star Wars Day, with a surprising cameo that gave fans a showdown almost 30 years in the making.

Next up from the galaxy far, far away is The Mandalorian and Grogu. Starring Pedro Pascal, Sigourney Weaver, and Jeremy Allen White, the movie is set in the aftermath of the fall of the Empire as Din Djarin and his small green ward are recruited by the New Republic to help protect what the Rebellion fought for.

The Mandalorian and Grogu arrives in theaters on May 22. In the meantime, catch up with our guide to the other upcoming Star Wars movies and shows on the way.

Star Wars Day (AKA May 4) brings us a Hutt-sized haul of merch each year, and 2026 is no different. Actually, it feels as though there's more on offer for the event this time around than before. I was lucky enough to go hands-on with almost all of it when I visited Disney's London HQ a couple of months ago, and was taken aback by how much there was to see.

Because the only way to sort the good from the dark side was to go hands-on with as much of it as I could, I did my due diligence and mucked about with all the Star Wars Day merch for 2026 I could find. While plenty of items stood out, a few rose above the rest like rocks being Force-lifted by Yoda. The wearable Boushh helmet from Return of the Jedi was an easy highlight, for example; it's made of incredibly convincing materials with top tier weathering that makes the replica seem as though it's come from the movie set, topped off with a voice changer. I also adored the Starbucks signature mug series, bringing beloved planets to life in a classy, more abstract style. My favorite collection might just be the Endor range, though, and you can find out why below.

Want the very best Star Wars Day merch this May 4? Here's what I would prioritize, based on personal experience.

Note: A lot of these items are selling out fast at both the US Disney Store and UK Disney Store, so be aware that particularly popular ones may be out of stock by the time you read this.

For more from a galaxy far, far away, don't miss my favorite Star Wars board games or these essential Star Wars Lego sets.

Maul – Shadow Lord has come to an end, and it's quite the explosive conclusion, featuring a major cameo and a lightsaber duel Star Wars fans have been waiting for ever since The Phantom Menace.

The show has followed Maul's attempts to rebuild the Shadow Collective and reassert control over his criminal empire, alongside trying to recruit Jedi Padawan Devon Izara as his apprentice. In the Maul – Shadow Lord ending, everything comes together… and, in the process, we get a Star Wars showdown almost three decades in the making.

Below, we've broken down exactly what that major cameo means for Maul, as well as the surprise twist that means this duo still have unfinished business. The following contains spoilers for Maul – Shadow Lord, so turn back now if you haven't finished the entire show. For more, you can check out our Maul – Shadow Lord review for our spoiler-free verdict on the show.

The Darth Vader Maul – Shadow Lord cameo explained

In episode 8 of Shadow Lord, as Maul and his unlikely allies attempt to flee Janix, Rook Kast is suddenly dragged into the mist by an unseen foe and killed. Soon after, we hear that distinctive mechanical breathing: it's none other than Darth Vader.

Maul, Eeko-Dio Daki, and Devon Izara battle the fearsome Sith Lord in the finale, and Daki is killed by him when Maul betrays the Jedi Master and Force pushes him closer to Vader. This devastates Devon, and it also makes her angry enough to eventually accept Maul's offer to train her, potentially setting her up to become Talon in Maul – Shadow Lord season 2.

While Maul does battle Vader and eventually collapses a building on him to escape, he never figures out Vader's true identity as Anakin Skywalker. Of course, hardly anyone in the galaxy knows the truth at this point on the Star Wars timeline, but Maul has a very good reason to connect the dots. In the Siege of Mandalore Clone Wars arc, he attempted to lure Anakin to Mandalore to kill him and prevent the Jedi from becoming Darth Sidious's apprentice, as Maul had foreseen the fall of the Republic. But, Ahsoka Tano arrived instead, which foiled Maul's plan.

In Shadow Lord, Maul and Vader finally come face to face. This is the first time in the Star Wars canon that these dark siders have met, apart from two brief moments in The Phantom Menace when they are in the same location (though, Anakin is 10 years old at the time). They have another near miss in Star Wars Rebels, which is set many years after Shadow Lord, when Maul is nearby as Vader duels his former apprentice, Ahsoka (AKA Snips).

The Shadow Lord battle, then, is a huge deal, since Maul was once Sidious's apprentice just like Vader, and Maul harbors a lot of resentment over being replaced after he was defeated by Obi-Wan Kenobi. And, since Maul foresaw Anakin's fall to the dark side, this is vindication for the ex-Sith that he was right all along.

But, in a surprise twist, Maul does not realize that Vader is Anakin Skywalker in the Shadow Lord finale. At first, Maul is baffled by the Sith Lord, musing that Vader is no Inquisitor. Once he figures out that Vader is indeed a Sith, he encourages Devon to use her anger as the only way to defeat this new threat, pointing out that he himself was trained by a Sith Lord, Darth Sidious, so he knows what he's talking about.

By the end of the episode, as Maul and Devon escape Vader, Maul still doesn't seem to have put two and two together and worked out that Anakin Skywalker lives and has become Darth Vader. It would seem this particular revelation is being saved for later, perhaps in Maul – Shadow Lord season 2. It's no surprise that Maul might not figure it out straight away, either, as, after the events of Revenge of the Sith, Anakin is thought dead: even Obi-Wan doesn't learn Anakin lives for a few more years, as seen in the Obi-Wan Kenobi show.

What the Shadow Lord duel does give us, however, is an answer to the question of who would win if Maul and Vader ever clashed blades. Unfortunately for Maul, the answer is extremely obvious: Vader easily handles him, Devon, and Daki with his brute strength, and it's all Maul and Devon can do to escape. In this way, the fight is very reminiscent of Cal Kestis's battle with Vader in Jedi Fallen Order.

We'll just have to wait and see to find out when Maul will realize he was right about Anakin Skywalker all along, but, for now, this clash is more than enough to tide us over.

You can catch up with Maul's story with our guide on how to watch The Clone Wars in order, or see our roundup of all the upcoming Star Wars movies and shows.

The Maul – Shadow Lord ending is especially dramatic, and it sets up an exciting future for the titular ex-Sith.

The show has chronicled Maul's attempts to rebuild his criminal empire after the events of The Clone Wars, as well as his pursuit of Jedi Padawan Devon Izara as his apprentice. Everything comes to a head in the final two episodes, and there's plenty to unpack.

Below, we've broken down everything you need to know about the Maul – Shadow Lord ending, which naturally means there are major spoilers ahead. Turn back now if you're not up to date! For more on the show, check out our Maul – Shadow Lord review for our spoiler-free verdict.

Maul – Shadow Lord ending explained

The final two episodes begin with Crimson Dawn's Dryden Vos offering Maul a deal: if the ex-Sith Lord will help install Vos as leader of the crime syndicate, he'll help Maul escape Janix. Maul agrees, and he implants an image of a meeting place in Devon Izara's mind. Devon and her Master Eeko-Dio Daki, Brander Lawson, Rylee Lawson, and Two-Boots head to the meeting point.

But, Inquisitor Marrok and the Eleventh Brother are in close pursuit. As the whole crew attempts to traverse a toxic waste site, the Inquisitors catch up and a battle begins. Some of Maul's crew die, but the main players make it across safely. Marrok then gives an ominous instruction: "Inform him they are headed his way."

On the way to meet Dryden Vos, Rook Kast is dragged away and killed by an unknown foe in an eerie, horror movie-style moment. It's not long before we hear that distinctive mechanical breathing, though, and it becomes clear who Maul and the others will have to battle to escape: Darth Vader. While Maul knew of Darth Sidious's plans to make Anakin Skywalker his apprentice, as shown in the Siege of Mandalore arc of The Clone Wars, he doesn't seem to put two and two together in Shadow Lord and realize Vader is Anakin. Instead, all he knows is Vader is a Sith Lord.

Maul encourages Devon to give in to her rage as the only way to beat Vader, but Daki resists this. Marrok and the Eleventh Brother show up, and another fight starts as Lawson, Rylee, Vario, and Two-Boots battle with stormtroopers. Devon ends up fighting the two Inquisitors alone as Daki and Maul clash with Vader. Marrok is Force pushed by Devon over the edge of the walkway they're fighting on and disappears into the mist.

Maul sees Devon fighting alone and Force pushes Daki into Vader, getting the Jedi Master killed by the Sith Lord. Devon is devastated and, when she loses her lightsaber, Maul throws her half of his red blade. She pursues the Eleventh Brother inside the ruins of a nearby building, but Vader takes her by surprise. Maul brings down the roof on Vader, which almost isn't enough to stop him, but he and Devon manage to escape. Meanwhile, Brander Lawson sacrifices himself to the stormtroopers so Rylee, Two-Boots, and Vario can escape.

Devon, Maul, Rylee, Two-Boots, and Vario make it onto Dryden Vos's ship, where Vos reminds Maul of their deal. Devon then finally agrees to Maul training her, setting up Maul – Shadow Lord season 2.

Who dies in Maul – Shadow Lord season 2?

There are a few casualties in the final two episodes. Rook Kast is killed by Darth Vader, as is Eeko-Dio Daki after Maul betrays him and Force pushes him closer to the Sith Lord. Brander Lawson also sacrifices himself so his son Rylee, Two-Boots, and Vario can escape the Empire.

Does Maul fight Darth Vader?

Yes, the Star Wars battle we've been waiting years for finally happens in Shadow Lord. This duo have had a few close calls before: they crossed paths in The Phantom Menace when Anakin Skywalker was still a child, then Maul hoped to lure Anakin to Mandalore during the Siege of Mandalore arc of The Clone Wars to kill him and prevent him become Darth Sidious's apprentice. In Star Wars Rebels, Maul is also nearby when Ahsoka Tano duels her old Master – and he believes he's not strong enough to fight Vader alone, suggesting familiarity with the Sith Lord.

In Shadow Lord, they clash along with Devon and Daki. Interestingly, Maul doesn't seem to have realized that Vader is Anakin Skywalker, either, meaning that realization is most likely still to come.

Who is Dryden Vos?

Dryden Vos is introduced in Solo: A Star Wars Story as the fearsome leader of Crimson Dawn. In Shadow Lord, he strikes a deal with Maul to become that leader, meaning the show has laid the groundwork for Maul's surprise cameo in Solo (which is set after Shadow Lord on the Star Wars timeline).

In Solo, Vos is played by Marvel's Paul Bettany, though, in Shadow Lord, he's voiced by Scott Whyte.

What happens to Inquisitor Marrok and the Eleventh Brother?

Marrok is Force pushed by Devon over the edge of a walkway, and he falls to places unknown. It's unclear whether he survives this or not, as, when he is struck down in Ahsoka, green Nightsister magic escapes from his armor. That suggests he might have been undead in that show… though, it seems unlikely he did die here, as Maul and co. leave without collecting his body, so there'd be no way for the Nightsisters to get hold of him. Instead, he'll most likely return some day, alive and well.

As for the Eleventh Brother, he runs into the same building as Vader, and Maul brings the roof down shortly afterwards. However, we know the Eleventh Brother, AKA Crow, survives, because he goes on to duel Ahsoka Tano in Tales of the Jedi.

Is Devon Darth Talon?

That remains to be seen, though it seems pretty likely judging by the final episode. In the last moments of the finale, Devon agrees to be trained by Maul, and she has already accepted half of his red lightsaber. It seems this Jedi Padawan is poised to slip to the dark side.

In George Lucas's original plans for the sequel trilogy, Maul was a crime lord with a Twi'lek apprentice named Talon. It would make a lot of sense if this is the trajectory Shadow Lord follows as it continues. "We can't give away too much," supervising director Brad Rau previously told us of Talon speculation. "We have heard a lot of the fan theories and speculations, and we are fascinated by them. We'll just put it at that, leave it at that."

Will Maul – Shadow Lord get a season 2?

Maul – Shadow Lord season 2 has already been confirmed. Though it doesn't have a release date yet, Maul actor Sam Witwer has hinted that we won't have to wait long to see it. "It's the usual development cycle... I know when it's coming out, but it's not a situation where the audiences will have to wait too, too long," he shared.

Does Maul – Shadow Lord have a post-credits scene?

No, Shadow Lord does not have a post-credits scene. Once the credits roll on episode 10, that's the end of the show so far.

You can catch up on Maul's story with our guide on how to watch The Clone Wars in order, or see our roundup of all the upcoming Star Wars movies and shows for everything else the galaxy far, far away has in store.

Maul – Shadow Lord season 2 is on the way, which is very good news indeed. After all, Maul has proven himself to be one of Star Wars's most fascinating characters, and it's clear that his story is nowhere near finished.

With season 1 coming to its explosive conclusion, you might be wondering what's next for everyone's favorite former Sith. Below, we've rounded up everything there is to know so far about the continuation of Maul's story in Maul – Shadow Lord season 2, from when it might be released to what the plot might cover. This is one of the most exciting of all the upcoming Star Wars movies and shows, so it's well worth getting up to date.

Before you go any further, though, a warning that the following contains spoilers for the final two episodes of Maul – Shadow Lord season 1. For even more on the show, you can check out our spoiler-free Maul – Shadow Lord season 1 review.

Maul – Shadow Lord season 2 release date speculation

So far, Shadow Lord season 2 does not have a release date. Season 1 was announced at Star Wars Celebration 2025 and premiered in 2026. The new season was announced shortly before season 1 arrived, so, if it follows the same schedule, we can expect new episodes in 2027.

"It's the usual development cycle... I know when it's coming out, but it's not a situation where the audiences will have to wait too, too long," Maul actor Sam Witwer shared in an interview with The Direct. "But I think I am forbidden from saying what I know, but we are working on it," he continued. "We've been working on it for a while, and it's interesting."

Maul – Shadow Lord season 2 cast

Nothing is confirmed about the Shadow Lord season 2 cast just yet. Still, we can assume the main players will return. That would look like this:

• Sam Witwer – Maul
• Gideon Adlon – Devon Izara

We would also expect the return of Charlie Bushnell as Rylee Lawson, and Richard Ayoade as Two-Boots, but that remains to be seen. Also likely to make a comeback is A.J. LoCascio as Inquisitor Marrok and Clancy Brown as the Eleventh Brother. We still need to find out why Marrok dissolved into Nightsister magic in Ahsoka, after all...

Plus, it seems probable we'll see more of Scott Whyte's Dryden Vos, considering season 1 ends with Maul poised to establish Vos as leader of Crimson Dawn.

And, we wouldn't be surprised at all if Darth Vader returns. Though, as he didn't speak in his Shadow Lord appearance, we don't know who'd play him yet.

Three people we won't be seeing return, however, are Vanessa Marshall's Rook Kast, Dennis Haysbert's Eeko-Dio Daki, and Wagner Moura's Brander Lawson. Kast and Daki were both killed by Darth Vader in the final two episodes, while Lawson sacrificed himself to stormtrooper fire to ensure the others could escape.

As for who else might appear, that's still a mystery. If the show continues to build to Solo, which revealed Maul as the leader of Crimson Dawn, then we could see Qi'ra – though, if she'll be voiced by Emilia Clarke is unknown for now. Likewise, if Vader and the Inquisitors return, don't be surprised to see Emperor Palpatine, either.

Maul – Shadow Lord season 2 plot

After the explosive events of the Maul – Shadow Lord season 1 ending, it looks like season 2 will focus on Maul helping Dryden Vos ascend to power in Crimson Dawn. That's because Vos rescued Maul and co. from Janix in exchange for the ex-Sith Lord's assistance.

Plus, in the final moments of the finale, Devon Izara finally accepts Maul as a teacher, suggesting we'll see this Padawan slip towards the dark side under his tutelage. Whether that mirrors George Lucas's original sequel trilogy plans, which featured Maul and a Twi'lek apprentice named Talon, remains to be seen.

And, while Maul, Devon, and the others escaped from the Inquisitors and Darth Vader, it seems very unlikely that the Empire would stop pursuing them. So, be prepared for more appearances from these formidable dark siders.

One thing that's for sure, though, is that it doesn't matter that we already know how Maul's story ends thanks to Star Wars Rebels. "I will say, when we approach these kinds of stories where you know a certain character's end, it's not necessarily a straight line," supervising director Brad Rau told us before season 1 premiered on Disney Plus. "So, we wanted to make sure that we are making surprising bobs and weaves in a storyline that the fans are not expecting. Ideally, that's what we're doing. Also, there's a lot of new characters you've never seen before, and you don't know their fates and their destiny, and that's a big part of the story as well."

Maul – Shadow Lord trailer: when might we get one?

The Maul – Shadow Lord trailer was released to the public (after screening behind closed doors at Star Wars Celebration) in January, ahead of an April premiere. So, we'd expect to see the season 2 trailer a few months ahead of its release, too. When that might be isn't clear at the moment, but we'll keep this page updated with everything we know.

That's a wrap on Maul – Shadow Lord season 2. For more Star Wars, check out our guide on how to watch The Clone Wars in order.

There's a lot of pressure to making toys, and a whole bunch more when those are Star Wars toys. As one of the most beloved franchises in the world, its action figures (not to mention collectibles) come under more scrutiny than Rebel scum being interrogated by Darth Vader. It's also the series that kickstarted merchandise as we know it today, so there are standards to uphold. This is something you must get right, or millions of fans will let you know about it. As an example, social media is awash with opinions on the new Grogu animatronic right now; fans are going nuts for its features, but less so the cost.

How do you make sure things are up to a standard the Empire would be proud of, then? And how are these collectibles made in the first place? That task falls to a crack team at Hasbro Pulse, so I tracked down their leader Chris Reiff (manager of product design for Star Wars action figures, replicas, and beyond) to pick his brain about everything that goes into making merch for a galaxy far, far away. As it turns out, forging some of the best toys in the Outer Rim is... well, it's a lot more complicated than you might think.

GamesRadar+: I'd love to hear about how the action figure development process works. Can you tell me what goes into making one from start to finish?

Chis Reiff: There is SOOOOO much that goes into it. I’ll give you a high level run through of the bigger steps in the process but if you want all the fun details we’ll have to sit down for a day to talk through it all. From a high level:

• Planning: First we have to decide on which figures to do. That involves a lot of decisions about themes, overall budgets, cost, fan desires and involves a full cross-functional team of engineers, designers, marketers, and conversations with our partners at Lucasfilm.
• Development: I’ll break this down a little more since it's where the heart of the fun happens.
  • Concept and Input: We’ll put together a plan for what we want the figure to be including articulation, plan accessories, and all the reference for the particular version we want to do.
  • Sculpting: Our sculpting team then takes that input and executes a fully realized 3D sculpt of the figure that we review and refine throughout the process to make sure it matches the reference and the plan as best as possible.
  • Production Engineering: That sculpt gets turned over to be taken from an articulated solid figure to something fully engineered internally for production. (Lots of back and forth and refinement all through this process).
  • Deco Planning: Our team will take a look at the reference and plan out in Photoshop and then in 3D painting software exactly how we want the figure to look (sometimes we’ll do physical models as well depending on the need).
  • Packaging: The packaging team creates the artwork for each package, usually creating custom art for each figure and making sure we get good renders or photos of the figures based off of our deco plans.
  • Production: I have massively simplified this list and this section is no exception… To make the figures we need to cut steel molds, fine tune them, create paint masks and silk screens and printer files for deco. We work day to day with amazing factories and production partners reviewing samples and tweaking things all the way up to sign-off for full production.

There are a LOT more steps and many other people involved all along the way. From the copywriters, quality assurance, sales teams, Logistic Partners, warehousing, Customer Care, etc. that all come into actually making and delivering an action figure. I can’t even list everyone but that gives an idea of the breadth of what is needed and we do that for each and every item we make.

Can you tell me about any design challenges of the Vintage Collection versus the Black Series figures, and vice versa?

Reiff: They’re both unique segments and do have some unique challenges but largely the process is the same for both scales. With the modern figures they’re essentially getting the same articulation and same deco. But, with The Vintage Collection being so much smaller, the minimum requirements for things like plastic thickness and just the ability for someone to physically put the parts together reliably becomes more difficult. For example, how small a wrist joint can be doesn’t change and what might be perfectly fine for a 6inch tall figure might make a figure at 3.75 inches look like they are wearing a coat where we want a bare arm. In cases like that we have to find different ways to handle those concerns to be sure we are still delivering a high quality item.

I've got to ask, because I adore them: how much fun is it to cut loose and make wild Halloween/Christmas figures? Seeing a Stormtrooper decked out in a reindeer costume is great.

Reiff: I’m glad you like them. I do as well. Those sorts of things are always a lot of fun for a designer since so much of what we do for the normal figures is focused on replicating and accuracy to what is in a show. On those Black Series figures you mentioned, Eric has done an amazing job pushing those designs. We’re all a little jealous of how much fun he gets to have creating those.

Is there something you're particularly looking forward to seeing fans get their hands on?

Reiff: There is but I can’t tell you about it yet. LOL. For what we can talk about…. I think I’m most looking forward to getting the HasLab Gunship into people’s hands [...] Seeing that through to a fully finished product that people unbox and set their own scenes around will be fantastic!

Let's switch gears to another Black Series product: roleplay items like lightsabers and helmets. We've come a long way from the early Black Series Lightsabers. What would you say has been the greatest leap?

Reiff: For me, that’s pretty straight forward. The transition to the FX Elite versions from the initial FX versions of the Black Series Premium Role Play Lightsabers kept all the amazing metal and fully detailed hilts but brought more LEDs and it brought addressable LEDs so we could add smooth effects and localized features in the removeable blades. We’re always looking for more ways to enhance those and I’m excited for where they might evolve in the future.

The weathering on your roleplay products is always spot on, but I have to say, the helmets really are very impressive. What goes into making sure the paintwork on these is just right?

Reiff: We usually go through a few iterations on each one making sure we get just the right amount to be subtle but not too over the top. That process starts with pouring over lots of great references then doing a digital paint-over of our 3D Sculpts to plan out where we are headed. From there we’ll make a physical painted sample that we’ll rework to be just right. Then that is photographed and sent off to the factory as final reference (a paint master) for them to follow for the production version.

To finish, are there any recent projects from the Star Wars line that you have a soft spot for? Personally speaking, I'm a huge fan of the new Clone Captain Rex.

Reiff: My soft spot is definitely the RETRO Collection. I really enjoy the expansion of classic characters that I’ve been able to do and how that extends the collection of figures Kenner originally did.

• See the latest Star Wars figures at Hasbro Pulse

For more cool collectibles, don't miss the best Lego sets or the best Nerf blasters.

We're just two episodes away from the end of Maul – Shadow Lord, but Darth Vader hasn't made an appearance in the Star Wars show.

Instead, Maul has been doing battle with Inquisitor Marrok and the Eleventh Brother (AKA Crow), but one Easter egg cleverly hidden in a battle sequence points towards Vader himself.

One eagle-eyed fan on Twitter has noticed that Marrok uses a move very similar to a classic Anakin Skywalker lightsaber manoeuvre. "You can tell Marrok was trained by Vader by the overhead rear block he does at the start of this duel. Both Anakin and Ahsoka use that move all the time. The attention to detail in this show is next level," they write, resharing a clip of the moment, which sees Marrok swing his lightsaber over his head and bring it down at Maul.

Anakin does indeed seem fond of this move: you might recognize it from his duel with Obi-Wan Kenobi on Mustafar in Revenge of the Sith, or in his duel with a younger version of Ahsoka Tano in the World Between Worlds in Ahsoka.

Vader is the head of the Inquisitorius, and the Darth Vader comic series has established that he is personally involved in their training. So, it's not a stretch at all to assume Marrok learned this move directly from Vader.

"We talked a lot about [how] we wanted these Inquisitors to be as creepy as possible, creepier than we've ever seen them: horrifying, in fact," supervising director Brad Rau told us of Marrok. "And, A.J. certainly gives us a lot of that in his performance. And the way that we blocked Marrok in particular, if you notice, he moves really slowly, like a horror monster, and then he moves really fast, also like some kind of apparition. And so we just played with all of that fun stuff. It's just too much fun."

While Vader hasn't shown up in the show, it is possible he is the mysterious cloaked figure Marrok called for help earlier in the season. We'll just have to wait and see if the Sith Lord does end up arriving on Janix in the final two episodes…

You can keep up to date with our Maul – Shadow Lord release schedule, or, for more on the show, read our Maul – Shadow Lord review.

To catch up on Maul's story, see our guide on how to watch The Clone Wars in order.

It seems Star Wars has confirmed Ahsoka season 2 is coming this year, which is good news for those of us who've been missing Snips.

The news comes in the latest – and final – issue of Star Wars Insider, as shared on social media by user Morai the Messenger. The magazine says that "a second season of Ahsoka is due to drop on Disney Plus later this year."

While we've known Ahsoka season 2 is coming for some time, no release date has been confirmed, which led to some fears that the show might not be arriving until 2027. This latest update seems to confirm that Ahsoka Tano is indeed returning to our screens this year.

That's especially exciting, since The Mandalorian and Grogu director has teased Ahsoka is leading Star Wars forward.

"Anybody who saw the sequels knows that there's a First Order coming in, like, 20 years from where we are now in the storyline," Jon Favreau shared recently. "And then Ahsoka season 2 is coming out – which I've seen all of – and that's definitely more dealing with the larger [picture], a higher level. That's about the officers and we're the enlisted men – this is more of a ground-level experience of what's going on. You're seeing the backdrop – which, by the way, is what the first Star Wars started off as."

Excitingly, Star Wars Insider also said a teaser for Star Wars: Starfighter could be imminent: "And watch out for a teaser trailer for 2027's big release, Star Wars: Starfighter, sometime soon."

In the meantime, The Mandalorian and Grogu arrives this May 22, while Maul – Shadow Lord continues weekly on Disney Plus.

You can keep up to date with our Maul – Shadow Lord release schedule, or see our roundup of all the upcoming Star Wars movies and shows for everything else the galaxy far, far away has in store.

Hasbro Pulse has unveiled what might be the most realistic Grogu collectible ahead of May 4 (AKA Star Wars Day) that you'll find beyond the Mandalorian and Grogu movie set.

Appropriately titled "Ultimate Grogu," this 1:1 scale animatronic version of Baby Yoda packs more than 250 lifelike animations, sound effects, and a premium design that includes wispy hairs on the top of his head… but also comes with a premium price tag to match many of the best toys combined. You can pre-order this Star Wars collectible for $599.99 at Hasbro Pulse, and it'll ship in early 2027.

From what I can see on social media, fans are reacting with a near-unanimous "oh my gosh, this is amazing" to how Ultimate Grogu looks, moves, and sounds. That's fair – this is easily one of the best Star Wars toys I've ever seen, with a deeply impressive range of movement, realistic sounds, and true-to-screen mannerisms (like that adorable toddle) that really sell the illusion.

However, they have slightly choicer words for its price. And honestly? I get it. While I totally appreciate why this thing costs $600 (the kit stuffed into it does not come cheap, and it's quite the accomplishment, technically speaking), it's still an eye-watering number to swallow. I don't mean to yuck on anyone's yum, of course, and value is subjective, but hoo boy.

Nevertheless, you aren't going to find a more realistic version of Grogu that comes with such a wide range of movement and effects. While the Hot Toys equivalent (which you can pre-order direct from Sideshow) is even more realistic in terms of looks and weighs in at a far more palatable $285, it doesn't have any of the mechanical doodads that bring Hasbro Pulse's version to life. As such, the one I'd recommend depends on what you want it for. If you'd like something to sit on your shelf and look cute as a button, the Hot Toys version is a great choice. You don't need much more. But if you want an addition to your Mando cosplay, or you want the ultimate conversation starter, it has to be the Hasbro model. I've not seen anything manage what it can do; this sure is a step up from the animatronic Chopper I fell in love with a few years ago.

What do you think of Ultimate Grogu? Let us know in the comments.

• See all Star Wars collectibles at Hasbro Pulse

For more cool gear, why not check out the best Lego sets or the best Nerf blasters?

New Star Wars series Maul – Shadow Lord hasn't even finished its first season yet, but Disney Plus has already renewed it for season 2. Better yet, fans might not have to wait too long to see the Sth's return, as star Sam Wittner knows when season 2 will hit screens.

"It's the usual development cycle... I know when it's coming out, but it's not a situation where the audiences will have to wait too, too long," said Witwer in an interview with The Direct. However, the Maul voice actor couldn't reveal the release date just yet. "I think I am forbidden from saying what I know, but we are working on it," admitted the star. "We've been working on it for a while, and it's interesting."

Since the team has been working on Maul's sophomore season for some time now, we could expect to see the dark lord return to the streamer in 2027, if the show does indeed follow the annual release strategy like its predecessors, The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels.

Disney renewed Maul – Shadow Lord this April, which wasn't a huge surprise as the animated show has proven to be a big hit with fans. The series is set after The Clone Wars and follows Maul as he plots to rebuild his criminal syndicate on a planet untouched by the Empire. Shadow Lord currently sits at an impressive 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, making it one of the highest-rated Star Wars projects ever.

Witwer knew he had a winner on his hands from the beginning, but could never have predicted its overwhelmingly positive reception. The star said, "When you do a show, you're doing your best, and for my part, I'm just kind of hoping we survive... My prediction for 'Shadow Lord' was, 'Yeah, I think we have the goods. I think we're gonna deliver a season that the fans will accept.' I did not necessarily see all of the passion and how hardcore everyone is locked into this show..."

The success of season 1 has only spurred the Shadow Lord team on to reach greater heights with season 2. "I can tell you that the entire team, myself included, feels a tremendous responsibility to slam our foot into the gas and keep it moving... We have to keep discovering new things," added Witwer. "I'm a Star Wars fan, so I would like to see it continue. And so the pressure is on, I suppose. We want to tell good stories."

Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord season 1 will come to an end on Star Wars Day, May 4, on Disney Plus. Check out our Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord release schedule for exact timings. For more, here's what to watch before Maul – Shadow Lord and a detailed breakdown of the Star Wars timeline.

The fan campaign for The Acolyte is reignited after the canceled Disney Plus briefly reemerged in the streaming platform's top 10 most viewed shows.

According to Comic Book, on April 22, it ranked in the number nine spot, according to Flix Patrol, which tracks streaming figures on all platforms. It joined another Star Wars show in the ranking too, Maul – Shadow Lord.

Set 100 years before The Phantom Menace, the eight-part series followed Jedi Master Sol (Squid Game's Lee Jung-jae) as he investigated a mysterious series of crimes. Amandla Stenberg starred as his former Padawan alongside Manny Jacinto as The Stranger. It had generally positive reviews when it was first released but Disney canceled the show based on viewership figures.

Ever since its cancelation, fans have been rallying for Disney to reverse its decision. The hashtag "RenewTheAcolyte" often trends on X, with increased calls over the past week following its resurgence. "Shouldn’t have been canceled, give me my show back," wrote one, as another added that it had "such a great story and memorable characters" and "deserves to be continued".

"The fact is that, revisiting The Acolyte after nearly 2 years, it became clear that the series features the best lightsaber battle ever made in live action," a third wrote. "It truly deserved a 2nd season."

However, there might be another reason for its renewed popularity on Disney Plus. New animated show Maul – Shadow Lord is currently airing and features an auto-play function after each new episode for The Acolyte. This could be why the show is getting attention once again, two years on.

For more on a galaxy far, far away, check out our guides to all the upcoming Star Wars shows and movies as well as our breakdown of the Star Wars timeline.

A new Star Wars Force FX Elite Lightsaber has at last revealed itself, and at last the Sith will have their revenge. That's because Darth Maul's signature saber is getting a replica later this year.

Stepping out of the shadows at CCXP Mexico this weekend, the latest Star Wars Force FX Elite Lightsaber is based on Maul: Shadow Lord. While that means this is a single-bladed weapon rather than the double-ended one he's known for, it does come with an adapter piece allowing you to connect another version of the hilt to the end (thus letting you recreate his prequel-era lightsaber staff). When combined with the usual tricks that put these replicas in contention for our best toys list like progressive ignition and effects for blaster deflection, wall-cutting, and duels, this should tick all the boxes for fans of the best Star Wars toys.

I've been waiting for a good replica of Darth Maul's signature weapon for a long time. Although I have a lot of time for third-party replicas or official Legacy lightsaber sets from the Disney Store, those don't boast the same bells and whistles that Force FX Elite Lightsabers do. As noted in my Darth Vader Force FX Elite review, these modern replicas are amongst the best lightsabers that Hasbro has ever made. That means this Maul saber has the premium, screen-accurate detailing to go with a host of cool effects. The classic battle clash is cool, yes, but throwing in progressive ignition and a duel bind effect with "wall-cutting" and "blaster deflection" really elevate it.

Plus, we don't have many Force FX Elite lightsabers from the prequel era. Another one for the collection is OK in my books.

Naturally, this wasn't the only Star Wars-related announcement to come out of CCXP Mexico. A Black Series action figure from Mandalorian and Grogu depicting an Imperial Remnant Warlord with Polar Mouse Droid is going to be up for pre-order on April 30 at 1pm exclusively via Target, and a smaller, Vintage Collection version of Devon Izara is coming in Fall as well. You can get a glimpse of both in the gallery below.

As for the Maul Force FX Elite Lightsaber, you'll be able to pre-order it from April 30 ahead of launch in Fall 2026. Here's Hasbro's official description:

"After the events of the Clone Wars, Maul plots to rebuild his criminal syndicate on a planet untouched by the Empire. This collectible Force FX Lightsaber is detailed to look like the Maul Lightsaber from the STAR WARS: MAUL – SHADOW LORD™ series on Disney+. Combining advanced LEDs and entertainment-inspired sound effects, the Force FX Elite Lightsaber is the most realistic STAR WARS™ Lightsaber yet. Display the electronic Lightsaber on the included stand and connect two Lightsabers horizontally with the adapter piece (additional Maul Force FX Elite Lightsabers sold separately, subject to availability)."

• See all Black Series deals at Amazon

For more collectibles, why not check out the best Lego sets?

Maul – Shadow Lord has already given us plenty of new insight into the titular spiky ex-Sith, but episode 8 might give us our best deep dive into Maul yet.

That's thanks to a series of visions Maul experiences in the episode, which reference key events from his past. Consider this your warning that there are spoilers ahead, so turn back now if you're not up to date! In the episode, Maul escapes from Inquisitor Marrok and the Eleventh Brother into a tunnel, in which he is tormented both by the memory of the Inquisitors telling Maul "there is no surrender for you, the Emperor wants you dead," and these glimpses at his past.

Below, we've broken down all the Star Wars references in the Maul – Shadow Lord visions, so you can understand exactly what Maul saw in the tunnel and what it all means. For even more, check out our Maul – Shadow Lord review for our spoiler-free verdict on the show.

Maul's tunnel visions in Shadow Lord episode 8 explained

Darth Sidious

The visions begin with Maul seeing a much younger version of himself, along with his brother, Savage Opress. The sinister Darth Sidious is also with them, and, as Savage pleads with his brother "don't go," Maul responds, "I must, my brother." Sidious then takes Maul away, and Savage cries "what have you done to my brother?" This is followed by Maul being tormented by Sidious's Force lightning.

This vision is an insight into Maul's training at Sidious's hands, before the events of The Phantom Menace on the Star Wars timeline. As you might have expected, it's not a pleasant experience for young Maul – or Savage, who was left behind. Eventually, Maul recruits Savage as his own apprentice in The Clone Wars, but Savage is killed by Sidious after Maul assumes the throne of Mandalore.

Obi-Wan Kenobi

Maul then sees himself getting attacked by Obi-Wan Kenobi – who can be heard shouting "no!" – and then we get a look at Maul with robotic spider's legs.

This, of course, refers to the showdown between Maul and Obi-Wan in The Phantom Menace, after Maul killed Qui-Gon Jinn. Obi-Wan cut Maul in half and the Sith apprentice fell backwards down a reactor shaft. That seemed to be that, until his brother Savage found him in The Clone Wars in a junkyard, sustained by his anger and the dark side, and with robotic legs like a spider. Maul was later mentally and physically healed by the Nightsisters of Dathomir and given new legs (just two, this time).

Mandalore and Savage Opress

Next, Maul sees Savage being killed by Sidious. This took place on Mandalore, after Maul had previously won the Darksaber in combat and became leader of the planet.

Maul allied himself with the Mandalorian sect Death Watch, which included Bo-Katan Kryze among its ranks, and began consolidating the galaxy's crime syndicates into one group called the Shadow Collective. Then, they took over Mandalore from Bo-Katan's sister, Duchess Satine Kryze. Maul then betrayed the Death Watch's leader, Pre Vizsla, and challenged him to a duel, in which the ex-Sith won the Darksaber and took the planet for himself. Later, Sidious arrived to fight Maul and Savage, and, while he killed Savage, he left Maul alive.

Mother Talzin

Finally, Maul sees himself with green Nightsister magic, as a voiceover says "you must have your revenge."

This is a reference to a comic book story, Darth Maul – Son of Dathomir issue 2. It was adapted from an unused Clone Wars script before the show was cancelled. In it, Maul seeks guidance from Mother Talzin, leader of the Nightsisters (and also his actual mother). Talzin tells Maul to ready himself for battle against Count Dooku and General Grievous, and Talzin sends Maul the Nightbrothers, male warriors from Dathomir, to help (Nightbrothers are also among Maul's crew in Shadow Lord). Maul succeeds in capturing Grievous and Dooku, and, at the end of the comic, Talzin promises Maul, "Soon Sidious will follow… and together we will have our revenge."

This comic series does not end with Maul and Talzin having their revenge, however, but instead with Grievous murdering Talzin, with help from Sidious and Dooku. That explains why Maul, after experiencing his visions, shouts, "My home, my family, my brother, all taken from me. Sidious, you did this to me. You did this to me. You did this!"

Maul then sees a younger version of himself in his own reflection, and tells him: "It's alright, it's alright. I won't let him do this to anyone else." The reflection then flickers back to his older, angry self, and Maul gets back up. The next episodes look set to be huge, then…

You can keep up to date with our Maul – Shadow Lord release schedule. Or, catch up on Maul's story with our guide on watching The Clone Wars in order.

The stakes are getting higher and higher in Maul – Shadow Lord, as a new Inquisitor has arrived to hunt the titular ex-Sith Lord. But who is that mysterious masked Inquisitor, and have we seen him in Star Wars before?

The newcomer, an Inquisitor named the Eleventh Brother, wears a terrifying, bird-like mask and, naturally, wields a blood-red lightsaber. He's also a major threat, helping Marrok to battle Maul, and proving to be a match for the Zabrak. Below, we've broken down all you need to know about the Eleventh Brother, and where he has appeared in Star Wars before. That means you can get up to speed at a glance.

For even more on the show, check out our Maul – Shadow Lord review for our spoiler-free verdict.

Who is the masked Inquisitor in Maul – Shadow Lord?

In episode 6, Marrok called for aid, and it seems this Inquisitor is sent as the help he requested. The new Inquisitor on Janix is none other than the Eleventh Brother, an Inquisitor who has showed up in the Star Wars canon a few times before.

He first appears in Tales of the Jedi, in an episode that sees Ahsoka Tano in hiding after Order 66, posing as a farmer in a small village. When the Inquisitors receive a tipoff that a Jedi was in the village, the Eleventh Brother arrives – which results in a showdown with Snips.

Ahsoka is able to defeat the Eleventh Brother and (spoiler alert) decapitates him, meaning this episode of Tales of the Jedi is set after Maul – Shadow Lord on the Star Wars timeline, and also revealing that the Eleventh Brother will survive the events of Shadow Lord. (A very similar storyline plays out in the novel Ahsoka, penned by E.K. Johnston, though involving an Inquisitor named the Sixth Brother. "It's based on the same outline I gave publishing for the novel. It was always the same story," Filoni told Nerdist of the Tales of the Jedi episode.)

The Eleventh Brother also appears briefly in Tales of the Empire in a scene featuring the Inquisitors kneeling before Darth Vader – perhaps supporting the theory that the shadowy figure Marrok called at the end of episode 6 is indeed Vader. We'll just have to wait and see...

You can keep up to date with our Maul – Shadow Lord release schedule, or see our guide on how to watch The Clone Wars in order to catch up on Maul's story.

As Maul – Shadow Lord gets closer to the end, things are only getting more intense on Janix.

A ferocious battle between Maul and Inquisitor Marrok and the Eleventh Brother left Maul defeated and on the run, and, all alone at his lowest point, he was plagued with heart-breaking visions of his tortured past.

GamesRadar+ sat down with executive producer Athena Yvette Portillo, supervising director Brad Rau, and writer Matt Michnovetz before the Star Wars show was released on Disney Plus, and we asked why it was important to show a more vulnerable side of Maul here.

"For a viewer to ask the question of, why this revenge?" says Portillo. "What happened in his past, what happened in his childhood, to make him this way? The sense of loss, the sense of losing control, those kinds of elements. Things that are relatable, making mistakes, asking all those questions. It's to that point."

Adds Rau: "And it was a rare opportunity, which we kept expanding in that episode, for the audience to be one on one with Maul. You don't usually have moments like that in this journey, as he goes back to his team, to his family – quote, unquote, his family. So, it was just this really weird, interesting opportunity for the fans to get that vulnerable side of him."

Things weren't just emotional on-screen, either, with Sam Witwer, the voice of Maul, digging deep in the recording booth. "He's at his best," says Rau. "Literally, we had a few different sessions with Witwer to record those scenes, and there were tears in the booth. There were tears on our side of the booth. There was so much emotion. Afterwards, like, 'Are you okay, Sam? Are you okay?' He literally wrung himself out for those moments. It's really beautiful."

Portillo was also affected. "I remember for the pickup sessions for that, I was sitting back… And someone's like, 'Are you okay? Athena, you're crying?' I'm like, I'm crying because I feel his pain. Like, you just feel it. I just don't know how he does it."

Witwer was involved in Shadow Lord behind the scenes, too, and Portillo explains that the actor "had a lot of influence in that, in the collaboration with Matt, Brad, and [Dave] Filoni on those tunnel sequences, as well as the show in general."

And, according to Michnovetz, this sequence is all important for what's coming. "That particular scene is such an organic point in the story that it plays through, and you'll see as you go into the next episode," he teases.

Maul – Shadow Lord comes to an end with episodes 9 and 10. Make sure you don't miss them with our Maul – Shadow Lord release schedule.

For more on the show, check out our spoiler-free Maul – Shadow Lord review, or catch up on the ex-Sith's story with our guide on how to watch The Clone Wars in order.

Maul – Shadow Lord is charting Maul's rampage through the galaxy far, far away's criminal underworld, after his fall from grace at the end of The Clone Wars.

One of the key details in his story, though, is that Maul has a surprise cameo in Solo: A Star Wars Story that reveals he does eventually regain power in the underworld. Naturally, then, Maul – Shadow Lord is laying some of the groundwork for this moment, particularly in episode 8.

Below, we've broken down how Maul – Shadow Lord connects to Solo: A Star Wars story, so you can get up to speed. Beware, though, the following contains spoilers for Shadow Lord, so, if you're not up to date, come back later. For more, check out our spoiler-free Maul – Shadow Lord review.

How does Maul – Shadow Lord connect to Solo?

Near the end of the episode, when Maul returns to his crew, we learn that Dryden Vos is requesting an audience with the ex-Sith Lord. Vos apparently reached out to Vario, who passed the message on.

Cast your mind back to Solo: A Star Wars Story, and you might remember that Paul Bettany's Dryden Vos is the face of the Crimson Dawn crime syndicate. Right at the end of Solo, Maul is revealed to be leader of Crimson Dawn, operating in the shadows. Solo is set after Shadow Lord on the Star Wars timeline, meaning Maul is going to end up as the Crimson Dawn boss sometime in his future.

Crimson Dawn were members of the Shadow Collective, Maul's collection of crime syndicates during the Clone Wars. This mysterious communication from Vos, then, seems to be setting up a bridge between the events of Shadow Lord and Maul's ascendancy in Solo.

So far in Shadow Lord, Maul has managed to claw back a fair amount of his underworld legitimacy, so it wouldn't be surprising if Crimson Dawn are willingly re-joining his cause, and that Maul might walk away from their meeting their new leader. But, the fact that Vario is involved might also mean that a betrayal is being cooked up – though we know it won't work, thanks to Solo.

You can keep up to date with our Maul – Shadow Lord release schedule. To catch up on Maul's story, see our guide on how to watch The Clone Wars in order.

Almost two years after The Acolyte first premiered on Disney Plus, the Star Wars show has all of a sudden re-entered the streamer's top 10 chart.

The Acolyte currently sits in ninth place on Disney Plus' Top 10 TV shows chart in the US, according to FlixPatrol. The 2024 series is amongst some familiar company from the galaxy far, far away, as brand new animated series Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord is in the top spot on the TV show chart and in third place overall.

Set about 100 years before The Phantom Menace, The Acolyte follows The Hunger Games star Amandla Stenberg as a former Padawan who reunites with her Jedi Master (played by Squid Game's Lee Jung-jae) to investigate a series of crimes. However, along the way, the duo finds out that there are even more sinister forces at play.

The first season of the sci-fi show hit the streamer in June 2024, consisting of eight episodes. However, it was met with mixed reviews, which is shown in its 79% Rotten Tomatoes score and 19% audience score. In our Acolyte episodes 1-4 review, we said the show got off "to an intriguing start" but "it stumbles in places and retreads familiar ground from the prequels."

In December 2024, Disney decided to cancel the show, reportedly due to low viewership, though it was the second most viewed Disney Plus show of 2024. It has been reported that The Acolyte cost around $230 million to make, meaning that the studio probably couldn't justify a second season without a devoted audience. It is not clear why the series is currently experiencing a resurgence or if this will affect its future moving forward, but we hope to see some Acolyte characters again someday.

Since then, Lucasfilm seems to have dialed back on the number of Star Wars shows put out each year. In 2024, alongside The Acolyte, Disney Plus released the final season of The Bad Batch, Tales of the Empire, Young Jedi Adventures season 2, and Skeleton Crew. Whereas this year, the only Star Wars series set to hit the streamer are Maul – Shadow Lord and Visions Presents: The Ninth Jedi. Ahsoka season 2 doesn't yet have a release date.

Next up for Star Wars, The Mandalorian and Grogu will hit the big screen on May 22. For more, check our guide to the Star Wars timeline, and keep up with upcoming Star Wars movies and TV shows.

The trailers released for The Mandalorian and Grogu so far have teased a low-key adventure for Din Djarin and his charge Baby Yoda – there looks to be plenty of excitement in store, but no galaxy-shaking revelations or battles.

Director Jon Favreau has expanded on the stakes in a new interview with SFX magazine, confirming that, while the Mando movie isn't carrying the Star Wars mythos forward, another upcoming project is.

"Anybody who saw the sequels knows that there's a First Order coming in, like, 20 years from where we are now in the storyline," he commented. "And then Ahsoka season 2 is coming out – which I've seen all of – and that's definitely more dealing with the larger [picture], a higher level. That's about the officers and we're the enlisted men – this is more of a ground-level experience of what's going on. You're seeing the backdrop – which, by the way, is what the first Star Wars started off as."

The Mandalorian season 3 teased the rise of the First Order through the Shadow Council, an ominous gathering of Imperial remnants – and then Grand Admiral Thrawn returned at the end of Ahsoka season 1. "If you look at the fall of empires, historically, a lot of the power brokers become warlords," Favreau shared, "and anybody with a standing army had power in the ancient world. We see that repeat itself in history. I guess what the Shadow Council alluded to is that they're starting to actually connect. It's not just insulated warlords anymore, and there's a larger scheme afoot. There's something going on and Thrawn is sort of the missing link that we began to allude to at the end of season 3."

By the sounds of it, the future of this period on the Star Wars timeline will become clear in Ahsoka season 2, developed by new Lucasfilm co-president Dave Filoni. "Dave has grabbed the baton now with the Ahsoka show, and that's going to be taking the next step," Favreau said. "There's a lot in that man's head and I know that he takes how it all connects very seriously. Now Dave is in his new position, he's been figuring out where things are moving forward after this. He's got a lot of responsibility there."

The Mandalorian and Grogu arrives this May 22, while Ahsoka season 2 doesn't yet have a release date.

While you wait, check out our guide to all the upcoming Star Wars movies and shows for everything else that's coming soon.

Knights of the Old Republic II still holds a special place in many fans' hearts, so it's not surprising that a new dual-pack featuring Star Wars action figures of its villains is causing such a stir. Luckily enough for anyone building a collection of the best Star Wars toys, it's up for pre-order now.

This two-pack set comes with both Darth Nihilus and Darth Traya, the antagonistic but oh-so-well-dressed forces we must contend with throughout that 2004 video game (complete with their signature lightsabers). You won't be able to get the Star Wars action figures just anywhere, though; it's an Amazon exclusive.

If you're new to the Black Series range, they're amongst the best toys in the business; they're high on detail, but (generally) low on cost. This screen-accurate design combines with an impressive multitude of articulation points to create a very dynamic action figure, one which you can pose in a variety of cool ways on your shelf.

While there are plenty of other Star Wars actions figures by toy giant Hasbro (including a smaller 'Vintage' collection that tends to be similar, but at half the size and with old-school Kenner packaging), the Black Series remains my personal favorite. These KotOR toys are a great example of why. The larger scale allows for greater detail, making them feel more like small statues to put in pride of place instead of toys. The face sculpts are almost always impressive too; besides Darth Traya looking eerily realistic, it's really neat that you can see Darth Nihilus' beady eyes staring out from beneath the mask. Creepy.

These aren't the only Star Wars action figures from the Black Series due to land soon, of course; there are plenty more at Hasbro Pulse, including those from the new Maul: Shadow Lord animated series or the upcoming Mandalorian and Grogu movie.

• See all Star Wars Black Series at Amazon

Want more cool collectibles? It's worth checking out the best Lego sets and the best Nerf blasters.

I'd like to think I have good self control, but dear reader, this Star Wars merch is tempting me to the Dark Side.

I was able to visit Disney's London HQ a few weeks ago to preview 2026's biggest and best Star Wars merch, and for a card-carrying nerd who adores a galaxy far, far away, it's a dangerous place to be. The room was full of awesome gear, but the Endor line in particular was eroding my self-restraint. I had a sudden, ridiculous urge to stuff the new Loungefly backpack under my sweater and wander off with it while whistling in a totally not-suspicious way.

I'm joking, of course, but on a serious note, this stuff really did leap out to me amongst all the other cool gear on display (not least of which was the sleek Jedi Temple Guard Lightsaber). Here's a rundown of all the gear on offer, and why it deserves a place in your collection.

Based in the UK? Not to worry - these will be arriving before too long. Indeed, everything here should be available by May 4. Keep 'em peeled, in other words! The same should be true for the Jedi Temple Guard Mask I was able to exclusively reveal last month, too.

Do you have a favorite design from the Endor range? Shout about it in the comments below, or let us know on our social channels!

For more goodies from a galaxy far, far away, don't miss the best Star Wars toys or the best Lego sets.

Star Wars fans have had two weeks and four episodes to enjoy Maul – Shadow Lord, and it's safe to say they're absolutely loving it.

So far, the story chronicles the efforts of Maul, the former leader of the Shadow Collective, to take revenge on the crime lords who abandoned him after the Clone Wars – and recruit a young Twi'lek by the name of Devon Izara as his apprentice.

"Not a single second of this show has been wasted, every second is straight peak," is one fan's reaction to episodes 3 and 4 on Reddit.

"Tea time with Maul. Not something I imagined I'd ever see," said another person, referring to the tea ceremony between Maul and Devon in episode 3, in which Maul attempts to win her over to his point of view.

"I'm very impressed with how much I already care about the entire cast of this show. I shouldn't be shocked, Dave [Filoni] shines in animation, but nevertheless I didn't expect the show to be THIS good," says someone else. "Maul is absolutely going to set it up so inquisitors kill Devon's master, causing her to want revenge and join him. It's going to be heart-breaking but I can see it coming from a mile away."

"Just finished episode 3 and 4, excellent follow up to the premiere, and while both episodes were fantastic, episode 3 specifically was something special," says another fan.

"Episode 4 was legit peak Clone Wars quality. Never thought we'd get back here," says another person.

"Maul's scenes with Devon were the highlight of the episode. Couldn't wait to get back to it after they switched to Lawson's POV," reflects someone else. "It's some of the best scenes of dark side 'training' we've gotten in a while, and I like that Maul’s approach is much more psychological. I would have stayed for tea time. Unlike Dooku or Sidious, his training isn't torturing you or zapping you with force lightning when you mess up. Like with Ahsoka in [The Clone Wars season 7], when he tries to turn you, he's not lying but using truths that support his argument which makes it all the more interesting."

"I love that this show is keeping up with Andor when it comes to actually making the Empire feel menacing. They haven't appeared at all for 3 episodes and only the end of the 4th episode has a small sneak peek of the upcoming carnage, but the sense of dread is always present. We've seen what happened when they take over the local authorities in Ferrix," says another fan.

Maul – Shadow Lord is one of the highest-rated Star Wars projects ever, so it's no surprise that fans are enjoying it so much.

The show continues weekly on Disney Plus, and you can keep up to date with our Maul – Shadow Lord release schedule.

In the meantime, check out our Maul – Shadow Lord review for our spoiler-free verdict on the show, or see our guide to all the upcoming Star Wars movies and shows for everything else the galaxy far, far away has in store.

If you have ever wondered what Star Wars villain Maul's real last name is, then we have good news for you, as we may now be closer than ever to finding that out, thanks to Maul – Shadow Lord star Sam Witwer.

After a fan shared a drawing on Twitter of the former Sith Lord working at a hypothetical bar called 'Opress Brothers Bar', a conversation started around what Maul's surname is. Witwer joined the debate, saying, "Holy crap. Wait... Is Maul's last name Opress??? Maul Opress? If they're blood brothers, I don't see why not. Or is it Maul Talzin?"

We already knew that Darth Maul had a brother named Savage Opress. The figure was introduced in The Clone Wars series, but plays a bigger role in the new show as it explores Maul's place in the Galaxy Far, Far Away. Both Maul and Savage are sons of the powerful Force-witch and leader of the Nightsisters of Dathomir, Mother Talzin. However, it is not clear if the two share the same father.

Maul's dad remains unnamed in the franchise, but we know he was a Dathomirian and a member of the Nightbrothers clan. Savage's dad also remains unnamed, so it could well be the same person. In this case, Maul may well use his mother's last name, Talzin.

However, from Witwer's comments, we have a feeling we might find out a little more about Maul's past in the new animated show. Although Witwer previously played Maul in The Clone Wars, Shadow Lord executive producer Athena Yvette Portillo told GamesRadar+ that the new show "is a whole 'nother level of character depth" for Witwer's Maul, "where you get to go into his mental psyche."

We're only three episodes into Maul – Shadow Lord, but we're already learning so much about the underrated former Sith Lord, including about the Shadow Collective. The series has even introduced a brand new character, a Twi'lek Jedi Padawan named Devon Izara.

Maul – Shadow Lord continues to air weekly on Disney Plus. For exact timings, see our Maul – Shadow Lord release schedule. For more, check out our guide on how to watch The Clone Wars in order, and keep up with even more upcoming Star Wars movies and shows.

Star Wars fans have been loving Maul – Shadow Lord as the new Disney Plus animated show delves deeper into the beloved Sith Lord's story. It's also packed full of Easter eggs and inside nods for viewers to enjoy, including a brilliant and very deep-cut Star Wars: Battlefront reference.

In the show's opening episode, we meet Spybot, Maul's droid accomplice who is fast becoming a fan-favorite. While he's a new character for the show, if you listen carefully you might notice something familiar about him.

After the season premiere dropped, one Redditor posted: "Making Spybot's blaster have the same sound effect as the clone sniper from the original battlefront was icing on the cake." As fans will remember, the Clone Sharpshooters were the Galactic Republic's sniper units in the original Star Wars: Battlefront game.

And as anyone who has played it will know, their blasters have a distinctive sound you won't forget. Or, as another viewer put it, "I knew it sounded familiar, that sound is engraved in my brain."

This isn't the only aural Easter egg in the show either as a new behind the scenes featurette also revealed that Maul voice actor Sam Witwer also voiced his own lightsaber. We're sure there will be more moments to spot as well as the season continues airing weekly on Disney Plus.

For more from the Star Wars show, keep up to date with our Maul – Shadow Lord release schedule and read our verdict in our Maul – Shadow Lord review.

A new Maul – Shadow Lord featurette has revealed Sam Witwer didn't just voice the titular Star Wars villain, he... kind of voiced his lightsaber, too – and now you're never going to look at them the same way again.

In the behind-the-scenes clip, in which the cast and crew gush about the ways the Disney Plus show is pushing the boundaries of small-screen storytelling, sound editor David W. Collins explains: "You actually have the sound of Sam screaming built into the saber."

I mean, if anyone's lightsaber was going to scream, it'd be Maul's, right? Watch the promo below.

"Maul is a person filled with rage and hate, seeking revenge [against] those that betrayed him" new Lucasfilm boss Dave Filoni adds, as Witwer notes: "The way this show looks? That's the world Maul sees; dangerous, a little bit more rough around the edges. You know? Anger, fear, aggression. This is some of the most exciting stuff I've ever done."

Turns out fans think so, too, with some viewers saying that Maul – Shadow Lord animation is so brilliant, it's making them want a redo of The Clone Wars. Or wilder yet... has convinced them that every Star Wars project going forward should ditch live-action altogether.

"With as good as animation is getting, sci-fi in general should start moving that direction in a lot of cases IMO," wrote a tuner-inner on Reddit recently. "It simply allows for far more flexible storytelling."

Also starring the voice talents of Gideon Adlon and Wagner Moura, Maul – Shadow Lord is streaming now on Disney Plus, with new episodes dropping every Monday. Ensure you don't miss any of the action with our Maul – Shadow Lord release schedule, or check out our verdict in our Maul – Shadow Lord review.

As Disney Plus continues to roll out new episodes of Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord, fans of the franchise can't stop gushing about how far Lucasfilm Animation's style has come over the last 20 years.

Following the small-screen spin-off's double-bill premiere, a viewer shared a comparison shot of Ahsoka Tano in an early season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Shadow Lord's Devon Izara on Reddit – and commended the studio's artists for doing such an "incredible job" on the latest tale's visuals.

"They deserve every amount of praise for how beautiful Maul – Shadow Lord looks," the poster added, as another fan wrote in the replies: "Ever since Clone Wars season 7, [Star Wars] animation has been peak in all of animation imo. I've yet to find a style I enjoy more."

"I say this pretty much whenever a new trailer/series in this style comes out. It's insane how far this style has come, it's basically unrecognizable at this point," said another. "And every time they manage to improve it even further and make it better still between projects."

Some expressed that they'd love to see The Clone Wars get a "graphical refresh". Meanwhile, others seem to so impressed with how cool Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord looks that it's convinced them that all future projects set in a galaxy far, far away should be animated...

"Every time a new animated show comes out, the level of animation is always nearly staggering. The environments especially look damn near photo realistic. Makes me feel that Star Wars movies should switch going forward," said one commenter.

"With as good as animation is getting sci-fi in general should start moving that direction in a lot of cases IMO," added another. "It simply allows for far more flexible storytelling."

Set between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord sees the eponymous former Sith try to rebuild his criminal syndicate and claim a new apprentice, Devon Izara.

The first two episodes are streaming now on Disney Plus, with new ones dropping every Monday. Ensure you never miss one with our Maul – Shadow Lord release schedule, or check out our verdict in our Maul – Shadow Lord review.