Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace hit theaters in 1999, and since then, Darth Maul has become a cultural icon for the franchise. Even back then, Lucasfilm knew that they’d scored in crafting the perfect menace to terrify and enthrall the next Star Wars generation. He has an iconic, devilish look that screams he is a dangerous adversary. And while Maul’s revolutionary double-bladed lightsaber was enough to sell his uniqueness, Ray Park’s agile and acrobatic fight choreography helped bring the character to life. Through Maul, the audience finally understood Alec Guinness’ line over twenty years prior about elegant weapons in a more civilized age.
