8 Star Wars Expanded Universe Changes That Were Completely Justified

7. Obi-Wan's Encounters With Darth Maul

Star Wars Rebels Obi-Wan Maul
Disney XD

Darth Maul ended up being one of the few bright sparks from the Star Wars prequels, but for many years his appearance in The Phantom Menace tends to be considered something of a waste. He was clearly a brilliant adversary, and yet he was killed off then and there.

Not so, in the expanded canon. Although this technically qualifies as a "legend of Legends", the EU story 'Old Wounds' did illustrate a showdown between Maul and Obi-Wan Kenobi on Tatooine, many years after the Jedi Purge. This would be the first and only occasion where the two would meet outside of The Phantom Menace, but come 2008's Clone Wars TV show, a drastic change was made.

Now, it was revealed that Maul had survived the encounter with Obi-Wan on Naboo, and that he'd had a brother called Savage Oppress. The two united over their hatred of Kenobi, and a great rivalry ensued.

Said rivalry was carried over to Star Wars Rebels, where Maul once again tracks Kenobi down to Tatooine. They duel (briefly), but their ending is outstanding, and illustrative of one of the few genuinely "must see" elements of the new expanded canon.

Advertisement
 
First Posted On: 
Content Producer/Presenter
Content Producer/Presenter

Resident movie guy at WhatCulture who used to be Comics Editor. Thinks John Carpenter is the best. Likes Hellboy a lot. Can usually be found talking about Dad Movies on his Twitter at @EwanRuinsThings.