Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Returns in 2026 with Voice Actors Reunion

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After almost 18 years, the popular Star Wars game, The Force Unleashed, is officially becoming part of the official Star Wars story again this year. While the game is considered one of the best Star Wars games ever created, the series ended in 2010. When Disney rebranded existing stories as Star Wars Legends, the story of the character Galen Marek, also known as Starkiller, was left unfinished.

While initially receiving mixed reactions, The Force Unleashed has become a fan-favorite Star Wars game for many. Years ago, there was talk of a The Force Unleashed 3, which generated a lot of excitement among gamers. That sequel never happened, but Star Wars fans might soon get something similar – a reunion of two of the original game’s most popular voice actors.

The Force Unleashed’s Sam Witwer & David W. Collins Are Reuniting In Maul – Shadow Lord

Sam Witwer and David W. Collins, both known for their work in The Force Unleashed — Witwer as Galen Marek and Collins as the droid PROXY — are taking on significant roles in the new Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord series. Witwer has been the voice of Maul in animation since season 4 of The Clone Wars, and Collins will play a new character called Spybot in Maul – Shadow Lord.

We only know Spybot’s name so far, but he might have a complicated relationship with Maul, similar to how PROXY related to Starkiller in The Force Unleashed. In that story, PROXY was Starkiller’s close friend, despite being programmed to eventually kill him. Since Maul – Shadow Lord will show Maul leading the Crimson Dawn crime syndicate, Spybot could be a loyal friend and helper to Maul, much like PROXY was to Starkiller.

How The Force Unleashed Marked A Generation

Look, as a lifelong Star Wars fan, I have to say The Force Unleashed has really stuck with a lot of us. I remember being a kid, probably around ten, and just being mesmerized watching an older friend’s brother play it – definitely wasn’t old enough for it at the time! But it’s more than just remembering being a kid, though. The game itself is genuinely good, and that’s why so many of us still love it.

The Force Unleashed stands out as a unique game in the Star Wars universe. It pushed the boundaries of what was possible in terms of gameplay, surpassing even Knights of the Old Republic. This technology allowed players to really experience the incredible power of Galen Marek’s Force abilities. The game’s story – about Darth Vader training a secret apprentice to eventually take down Palpatine, set between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope – has resonated with fans for almost twenty years.

The enduring appeal of The Force Unleashed likely comes down to Galen Marek as a character. While Sam Witwer’s performance is outstanding and unforgettable, Galen’s story is compelling in itself. His journey – rejecting the dark side to sacrifice himself for the Rebellion – aligns beautifully with the broader themes of redemption in Star Wars. He also provides a fascinating contrast to Darth Vader, and helps explain Vader’s motivations regarding Luke Skywalker in Return of the Jedi.

Which Parts Of The Force Unleashed Should Be Re-Canonized

Now that characters from The Force Unleashed are reappearing in current Star Wars stories like Maul – Shadow Lord, and with Darth Talon officially back in canon, many fans are wondering if Lucasfilm and Disney will bring back more content from the older Expanded Universe. There’s a lot from The Force Unleashed that could fit well into the current storyline, and with the new stories already drawing from that era, it feels like the perfect time to officially reintroduce those elements.

Even though it’s not officially part of the main story, I believe the idea of Darth Vader training an apprentice to take down Emperor Palpatine during the darker period of the Star Wars timeline could still fit within the established canon. The apprentice’s extremely powerful abilities might be too much, but the overall story and the dynamic between the apprentice and Vader could enrich the Star Wars universe and add depth to Vader’s eventual turn to the light side. While Star Wars: The Force Unleashed likely won’t be fully re-integrated into canon, its themes and characters still have something valuable to offer the Star Wars story.

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2026-01-28 00:28