Disney has released a new clip from "Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord," the upcoming animated installment that picks up the story of the former Sith Lord after the Clone Wars. Titled "We Will See To Your Demise," the clip shows an Inquisitor laying claim to Maul's life in what looks to be an action-packed confrontation.

The brief footage, distributed by Disney, is the first look at the film's animation style and tone. Sam Witwer reprises his role as Maul, the character he voiced in "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" and "Star Wars Rebels." The film is set to stream on Disney+, with reports pointing to a 2026 release.

A criminal syndicate in hiding

The premise of "Maul - Shadow Lord" places the character on a planet untouched by the Empire. After the fall of the Separatists and the rise of the Galactic Empire, Maul plots to rebuild his criminal syndicate. The choice of a remote world suggests he is lying low, wary of both Imperial forces and the Jedi who nearly killed him. This fits the character's arc from the animated series, where he often operated in the underworld, manipulating crime families and rival factions.

Maul's survival after "The Phantom Menace" and his return in "The Clone Wars" was one of the franchise's most compelling redemption arcs — though redemption is a generous word for a character who never truly turned away from the dark side. Instead, Maul became a rogue force, driven by hatred for both the Jedi and the Sith. The new film appears to continue that trajectory, placing him outside the Empire's direct control but still hunted by its agents.

Who is the Inquisitor?

The clip's title "We Will See To Your Demise" and the description indicate that an Inquisitor — a dark side agent serving the Empire — is hunting Maul. The Inquisitors first appeared in "Star Wars Rebels" as former Jedi who turned to the dark side to hunt surviving Jedi and other threats. But an Inquisitor going after Maul is unusual: Maul is not a Jedi, and the Inquisitorius primarily handled Jedi stragglers. This suggests Maul is considered enough of a threat to warrant Imperial attention, or that the Inquisitor has a personal grudge.

The briefing does not specify which Inquisitor appears, nor the actor playing the character. Given the limited information, we can only assume the role is voiced by someone new or perhaps by a returning cast member. The clip may reveal more when the film gets a full trailer.

Sam Witwer's return

Sam Witwer has been the definitive voice of Maul since the character's reintroduction in "The Clone Wars" season four. His performance blends menace, rage, and tragedy. Witwer also voiced the character in "Star Wars Rebels" and made a cameo in "Solo: A Star Wars Story" (though that appearance was brief). His return for "Maul - Shadow Lord" ensures continuity for longtime fans who followed Maul's story through the animated series.

Witwer is also known for his work on other Star Wars projects, including voicing Darth Sidious in "The Clone Wars" and playing various roles in the "Star Wars: Battlefront" games. His deep understanding of Maul's psychology gives the character a gravitas that live-action portrayals (like Ray Park's physical performance) could not fully capture in dialogue.

Where does this fit in the timeline?

"After the Clone Wars" places the story in the early days of the Empire, roughly around the time of "Star Wars: The Bad Batch" and "Obi-Wan Kenobi." In "The Clone Wars" season seven, Maul was captured by Darth Sidious and later escaped during Order 66. He eventually ended up on the planet Malachor, where he waited for years until encountering Ezra Bridger in "Star Wars Rebels."

"Maul - Shadow Lord" likely fills the gap between his escape from Sidious and his exile on Malachor. The official description says he is on a planet untouched by the Empire, which suggests he is avoiding the conflict altogether — at least until the Inquisitor finds him. This setup allows the story to explore Maul's criminal operations without contradicting established canon.

A shorter format for streaming

The film is described as an "animated installment" and will be released directly on Disney+. It is not clear whether it's a full-length feature or a short film. Given that the clip runs under a minute, the final runtime could be anywhere from 30 minutes to 90 minutes. Disney has experimented with short-form animated stories in the Star Wars universe, such as "Star Wars: Visions" and the "Tales of the Jedi" episodes. But a single narrative focused on one character suggests a more traditional feature format.

What the clip means for the story

Based on the footage and the title, the Inquisitor is not just tracking Maul — he or she is actively trying to kill him. The phrase "We Will See To Your Demise" is a declaration of intent. Maul, who has survived multiple fatal encounters, will once again be pushed to the brink. The clip likely represents a turning point in the plot: Maul's hidden world is discovered, and he must fight or flee.

For viewers who followed Maul's journey through the animated series, this setup feels familiar. Maul is always the hunted, always the survivor. But his goal in "Shadow Lord" — building a syndicate — is new. In "Rebels," he had already lost his criminal empire and was obsessed with finding Obi-Wan Kenobi. This film might show the peak of his underworld influence, before it all crumbles.

Limited information, high anticipation

The briefing for this article is relatively thin — it contains only the headline, a few sentences of description, and the release detail. As such, any deeper analysis must be grounded in what is confirmed: the clip exists, the voice actor is Sam Witwer, the story is post-Clone Wars, and the film will stream on Disney+ in 2026.

What is not confirmed includes the exact release date, the full cast, the runtime, and whether the Inquisitor is a new character or a returning one. We also do not know if the film is part of a larger series or a standalone project. These details will likely emerge as the release approaches.

What this means for Star Wars animation

Disney has been steadily expanding its animated offerings through Disney+, with shows like "The Bad Batch" and "Tales of the Jedi" receiving critical praise. A dedicated Maul film signals that the company sees value in exploring secondary characters from the animated series in more depth. Maul has been a fan favorite since his brief appearance in "The Phantom Menace," and his resurrection in "The Clone Wars" is one of the most celebrated arcs in the franchise's history.

By giving Maul his own story, Disney is also testing the waters for character-focused films that might not need a theatrical release. If "Maul - Shadow Lord" performs well, it could open the door for similar projects about other animated characters — perhaps Asajj Ventress, Captain Rex, or even a young Leia Organa.

Looking ahead

The "We Will See To Your Demise" clip is a teaser, but it already sets the stakes: Maul is no longer the top predator. The Inquisitor represents an organized force that even a former Sith Lord cannot easily dismiss. Whether Maul will survive this encounter — and how he escapes to later appear in "Rebels" — is the central question of the film.

For now, fans have a few seconds of action and a looming release date. The full picture will come when Disney releases a trailer or a release date announcement. Until then, the clip confirms that Sam Witwer's Maul is back, and that the Empire has not forgotten him.

"Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord" will stream on Disney+. The exact date is not yet announced, but reports and the clip's metadata point to a 2026 release. Stay tuned for more details as they emerge.