15 Biggest Easter Eggs & Star Wars References In Maul – Shadow Lord Episodes 1-2

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Be warned – this post contains spoilers for the first two episodes of Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord! These episodes are now available on Disney+, and fans have already spotted lots of fun Easter eggs and connections to the wider Star Wars universe.

This new series, Maul, takes place five years after Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith and the end of the Clone Wars. It explores what Darth Maul was doing during the early days of the Empire – filling in the gap between the end of the Clone Wars animated series and his appearance in Star Wars Rebels.

The first two episodes of Shadow Lord reveal a fascinating new part of Maul’s Star Wars story, packed with clever references and connections to previous events. From exciting action sequences that rival classic Sith moments to subtle nods for longtime fans, we’ve compiled 15 of the biggest and most interesting Easter eggs and Star Wars references from Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord episodes 1 & 2.

15. Zabraks & Mandalorians

Maul doesn’t command the huge criminal army he used to back during the Clone Wars, but he still has a dedicated group with him. It’s a fascinating mix – I’ve noticed a lot of Zabraks and even Mandalorians among his followers, which feels like a really big deal.

The appearance of Mandalorians shows that some of these warriors still follow Maul. They took control of Mandalore after killing Pre Vizsla and obtaining the Darksaber, a famous weapon featured in the Clone Wars animated series.

Okay, so the appearance of Zabraks in the show really got me thinking. It seems like Maul probably went back to his home planet, Dathomir, sometime after the Clone Wars ended. It’s a clever way to show he’s reconnecting with his roots, but more importantly, it explains how he’s building up a new crew to help him with whatever he’s planning. It adds a nice layer to his backstory and motivations, and makes his current actions feel more grounded.

14. Spybot Has A Major Force Unleashed Connection

The new animated series, Maul – Shadow Lord, introduces Spybot, a clever and threatening droid who works for Maul. Spybot is voiced by David W. Collins, who previously voiced the character Proxy in the Force Unleashed video games. Interestingly, Sam Witwer, who voices Maul, also voiced the main character, Starkiller, in those same games. This makes Shadow Lord a fun reunion for Collins and Witwer, as they collaborate on these new characters.

13. Rook Kast

Rook Kast is back as a key ally of Maul, having previously served as one of his leading commanders when he seized control of Mandalore during the Clone Wars. She appeared in several episodes of The Clone Wars series.

Kast first became known during the Clone Wars, becoming a prominent supporter of Maul after he took control of Mandalore. She even helped him escape from imprisonment by Darth Sidious before the Battle of Mandalore. In the ‘Shadow Lord’ series, Kast is voiced by Vanessa Marshall, well-known as the voice of Hera Syndulla from ‘Star Wars Rebels’.

12. Maul’s Debut – “Duel of The Fates”

Maul instantly made a huge impact when he first appeared in the first episode of Shadow Lord. He dramatically entered the scene by stealing from the crime boss Deemis, then powerfully defended his allies while fighting off enemies with his signature double-bladed lightsaber, all set to the epic score of John Williams’ “Duel of the Fates.”

For 27 years, this musical theme has been strongly associated with Darth Maul, and it still reliably builds excitement whenever fans anticipate his appearances.

11. Crimson Dawn

Darth Maul mentions that Crimson Dawn was one of the organizations that took advantage of his weakened position after the Siege of Mandalore and the conclusion of the Clone Wars. The film Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) shows that Crimson Dawn was run by Dryden Vos, but it’s eventually revealed that Maul was secretly the one in control.

Considering this, it seems likely that in the upcoming second season of Shadow Lord, Maul will ultimately take over Crimson Dawn, leading directly into the events shown in the movie Solo.

10. “I Prefer To Keep My Presence A Shadow” (A New Phantom Menace)

Rook is told that Maul prefers to operate in the shadows for now, revealing him as the new hidden threat during the Imperial era – a role once held by his former master, Darth Sidious, during the Republic. Like Palpatine did in the prequels, Maul is patiently waiting for the opportune moment to reveal himself and take action.

9. Maul’s Grand Plan

In the first episode of Shadow Lord, Maul reveals he’s developing a major plan. This mirrors the elaborate schemes of the Sith, like the one Darth Sidious carried out in the prequel films. Sidious spent years secretly planning to destroy the Jedi Order and replace the Republic with his own Galactic Empire.

Like others before him, Maul appears to be developing a complex scheme, fueled by his strong need for revenge against those who have harmed him.

8. “Laser Sword”

Detective Brander Lawson playfully calls Maul’s lightsaber a “laser sword,” which is a nice nod to early Star Wars. The term ‘laser sword’ isn’t often used in the franchise – it’s mostly remembered from when young Anakin Skywalker described Qui-Gon Jinn’s lightsaber in The Phantom Menace.

7. ISB Protocols

In the comic Maul – Shadow Lord, the Imperial Security Bureau is shown to be actively tracking Maul. A character named Two-Boots reveals that Janix law enforcement is required by Imperial rules to report any sightings of Maul to the ISB, proving that the former Sith Lord is on the Empire’s radar.

Brander is temporarily delaying pursuit, but it probably won’t be long before the Empire discovers Maul is around – and sends its Inquisitors, as hinted at in the previews. Still, even just the possibility of seeing the Imperial Security Bureau – which played a big role in the show Andor – is a welcome addition to this new Star Wars series.

6. The Shadow Collective

The first episodes of Maul: Shadow Lord directly mention the Shadow Collective. This was a powerful criminal alliance led by Maul and Savage Opress during the Clone Wars, and included groups like Black Sun, the Pykes, and Crimson Dawn, along with other criminal organizations.

Maul built up a strong network of influence to challenge his enemies. Now, he seems focused on getting back at those who left him, while also trying to reclaim his former power and control over his operations.

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2026-04-06 12:40