10 Insane Star Wars Plot Twists George Lucas Nearly Made Happen
3. General Grievous Was Actually Maul
Speaking of iconic forces of evil in the Star Wars universe, one of the most instantly recognisable villains of all time very nearly slipped back into the Prequel Trilogy under fans' very noses.
That's because, back when George Lucas was figuring out a way to introduce the world to the cyborg menace that eventually would become General Grievous, the initial plan actually involved the shocking return of none other than Maul.
After being sliced in half and seemingly killed during his duel with Obi-Wan Kenobi on Naboo, Maul wouldn't appear on the big-screen again until Solo: A Star Wars Story. Though he would take on a substantial role in both The Clone Wars and Rebels animated series.
However, as revealed by one of the writers on those two animated shows Henry Gilroy, Lucas did actually nearly bring Maul back under the armoured plating of Grievous in Episode III!
The "concept guys" almost managed to convince the mind behind the galaxy far, far away to commit to the return of Maul in the Prequel Trilogy, too. But Lucas eventually felt it was best to have the General do his own thing; something that Gilroy was thankful for.