The Phantom Menace: 25 years later, these never-before-seen images of Darth Maul have resurfaced

The first prequel duel between Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and Darth Maul (Ray Park) was much more significant in Star Wars: Episode I – The Ghost than what we saw in George Lucas’ 1999 final version. movie.

It was also revealed that Darth Maul was originally supposed to be featured more as a major force throughout the prelogue, which ultimately didn’t happen, with the Sith Lord not surviving the first installment. With that in mind, he had a more substantial introduction in the first film.

Indeed, stunt coordinator Nick Gillard told Star Wars Theory that they filmed an extended sequence featuring Qui-Gon Jinn and Darth Maul fighting on the desert planet of Tatooine. Just like in the last cut, the scene begins with Darth Maul nearly running over Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd) with his speeder before confronting Qui-Gon. Here, however, Gillard reveals the differences in the longer scene.

“I especially liked the fight in the desert between Qui-Gon and Darth Maul. It was powerful because you saw it for the first time. And it was longer. They come down in this Nubian spaceship and they get Qui-Gon, I think he jumps off the ramp. Molly also climbed the ramp initially. Qui-Gon was the first to arrive on the ramp feet. And then they fight again on the ramp as the ship goes forward and then Ky-Gon kicks him out.“

Gillard goes on to say that Darth Maul would fall when Padmé’s (Natalie Portman) cruiser left the planet before the Sith found the queen and her Jedi protectors during the Battle of Naboo.

A stronger moment for Darth Maul

A longer sequence would certainly have been a stronger introductory moment for Darth Maul. It would also make more sense that Qui-Gon would have a hard time getting away from him: at this point in the Star Wars timeline, the Jedi truly believed that the Sith were completely gone. That’s why it was a big surprise.

In a sense, Darth Maul and Darth Sidious were the “Phantom Menace” of the first film, a ghost from the past that has returned to the present. Darth Maul’s appearance was deliberately designed to look demonic, and this prolonged duel would make him even more of a threat.

Unfortunately, the duel was cut short, likely due to the film’s running time constraints. But luckily for us, today we have pictures of this famous duel.

Check out the scene in the video below:

As you can see, the part where Darth Maul joins Qui-Gon on the ramp was added on the computer. Another version shows the Jedi Master climbing the ramp, leaving Darth Maul in the desert, and watching the ship depart. This version can be found below:

Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, as well as the rest of the prequel and Star Wars movies, can be seen on Disney+.

Also discover the gaffes and mistakes of Episode I in the video below: