Darth Maul voice actor Sam Witwer recently revealed that he almost had a role in The Mandalorian.
Sam Witwer has become notorious among Star Wars fans, essentially becoming synonymous with the brand, as he’s voiced half a dozen characters in the franchise. Some of the characters Witwer has voiced include Emperor Palpatine, Starkiller, Hugh Sion, and Darth Maul. He’s appeared in almost every Disney Star Wars project, so it was quite surprising that Witwer didn’t appear in The Mandalorian, the first live-action Star Wars series.
According to the Darth Maul actor himself, he almost did have a role in The Mandalorian‘s first season, but he may have botched it. While speaking with Star Wars Holocron, Sam Witwer discussed how he accidentally turned down a role in The Mandalorian because of confusion regarding who wanted him.
“I got put on a shortlist on Mandalorian for some role and I thought maybe that was from Dave [Filoni], but then I found out it was actually from casting. Casting came up with the idea. The way they do it, I guess, is they put a bunch of people on a list and then the producers pick someone. So I relayed that to Dave, and I think it was awkward because I was saying “When I’m on the show” and this and that. But what I was actually trying to say was I actually took myself off that list because I don’t want to mess with your show (Laughs). I was trying to say that. I don’t want to mess with the show, nor do I want to take the risk that I’m wrong for the show and then you hire me because I’m your buddy. I was trying to say that but it came off wrong (Laughs). And there was this awkward silent moment. I think I need to text the guy and tell him that’s not what I meant! But what I meant to say was that if [Dave] had a need for me and there’s something I can do for you, you can tell me yourself. I’m not going to try to get in the way. That’s what I was trying to say. Because I don’t feel like Star Wars owes me a damn thing. Star Wars has been very good to me.”
It’s certainly confusing to not know who wants you on the show, especially if you’re good buddies with Dave Filoni, one of the gatekeepers for the Star Wars universe. Sam Witwer and Filoni have worked numerous times together, with their first collaboration being Star Wars: The Clone Wars, where he portrayed Darth Maul. In fact, Witwer had some choice words to say for his friend Filoni, teasing his mind-blowing work in the second season of The Mandalorian.
The role that Witwer was in contention for sounds relatively small, so there’s plenty of opportunity for the Darth Maul actor to grace the live-action world of Star Wars should he want to. Many have suggested that Darth Maul should appear in the upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi series, which would make for a fantastic live-action debut for the voice actor. While there’s no certainty when Witwer will appear in a live-action project, let’s hope it’s soon in a substantial role.
Do you want to see Sam Witwer in The Mandalorian? Do you think he should play Darth Maul in the series? Comment below and let us know!
Here is the official synopsis for The Mandalorian:
After the stories of Jango and Boba Fett, another warrior emerges in the Star Wars universe. The Mandalorian is set after the fall of the Empire and before the emergence of the First Order. We follow the travails of a lone gunfighter in the outer reaches of the galaxy far from the authority of the New Republic.
The Mandalorian stars Pedro Pascal, Gina Carano, Giancarlo Esposito, Emily Swallow, Carl Weathers, Omid Abtahi, Werner Herzog, and Nick Nolte. The Star Wars series was written by Jon Favreau, who also serves as an executive producer alongside Dave Filoni, Kathleen Kennedy, and Colin Wilson. Karen Gilchrist is also on board as a co-executive producer.
Dave Filoni directed the first episode of The Mandalorian and additional episodes of the Star Wars series were helmed by Thor: Ragnarok director Taika Waititi, Jurassic World star Bryce Dallas Howard, Dope director Rick Famuyiwa, and Jessica Jones director Deborah Chow.
The Mandalorian season one is now available exclusively on Disney Plus. Stay tuned to Heroic Hollywood for the latest news on Star Wars and make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel!
Source: Star Wars Holocron