Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord has picked up a nomination at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. Lucasfilm confirmed that the upcoming animated project received a nomination in the festival’s TV Films category, giving the Darth Maul series some serious animation-world attention before its wider release. ILM also congratulated the Lucasfilm Animation team on the nomination, which is a nice little reminder that this is not just another “Maul looks cool with a red lightsaber” moment. Though, obviously, he does. The nomination is for Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord, Chapter 9: Strange Allies, with Brad Rau listed as director in the Annecy 2026 TV Films selection. Darth Maul Is Getting the Spotlight Again Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord is set after the events of The Clone Wars and follows Maul as he attempts to rebuild his criminal syndicate on a planet untouched by the Empire. That is…
MAUL – SHADOW LORD
Maul – Shadow Lord Shows a Galaxy Tightening Under Imperial Control
As Maul – Shadow Lord takes shape, new comments from executive producer Matt Michnovetz offer a clearer picture of the political and psychological landscape the series will explore. According to Michnovetz, the galaxy at this point in the timeline is not yet fully crushed by the Empire — but it’s well on its way. The Empire is expanding, quietly and relentlessly Rather than depicting a galaxy already living in open rebellion, Maul – Shadow Lord is set during a period of consolidation. The Empire is spreading outward from the core worlds, tightening its grip system by system. Many in the galaxy don’t yet fully understand what the Empire represents. Some see it as stability. Others view it as distant authority. That uncertainty is part of the tension the series aims to explore. Power is growing — but not always visibly. The Inquisitorius operates in the shadows A major element of…
Sean Kiner and Deana Kiner Confirmed as Composers for Maul – Shadow Lord
Lucasfilm has confirmed that Sean Kiner and Deana Kiner are composing the score for Maul – Shadow Lord, the upcoming animated Star Wars series centered on Darth Maul. The announcement immediately signals a familiar musical direction for longtime fans of Star Wars animation, as the Kiners have been responsible for much of the franchise’s modern animated soundscape. A familiar musical signature for Star Wars animation Sean and Deana Kiner’s previous work spans nearly every major animated Star Wars project of the past decade. Their credits include: Across those series, the Kiners developed a musical identity that blends orchestral Star Wars tradition with darker, more modern textures — an approach that feels particularly well-suited to a Maul-centered story. Why the score matters for a Maul series Darth Maul has always been a character defined as much by mood as by action. From his silent menace in The Phantom Menace to his…
MAUL – SHADOW LORD Used Hand-Painted Glass Art to Create the City of Janix
One of the most striking elements in MAUL – SHADOW LORD isn’t a lightsaber duel or a Sith monologue — it’s the city of Janix itself. According to new behind-the-scenes information, the city was created using a surprisingly old-school technique:artists physically painted the city on pieces of glass and canvas, then used those paintings as background elements in the series. Yes — actual paint. Actual glass. In 2026. A Practical Technique in a Digital Star Wars Series Rather than building Janix entirely in 3D, the art team chose to lean on a method with deep roots in film history. The process involved: The result is a city that feels layered, distant, and slightly surreal — perfect for a story centered on Maul’s shadowy rise. Why Glass Paintings Still Matter This technique isn’t new. It’s a classic filmmaking trick used long before CGI became dominant — and Star Wars itself has…