Darth Maul voice actor Sam Witwer was going to appear in The Mandalorian, but a misunderstanding between him and Dave Filoni cost him the part.
Sam Witwer, who’s known for voicing Darth Maul in the animated Star Wars series, was supposed to star in The Mandalorian season 1, but a misunderstanding with Dave Filoni cost him the part. Created by Jon Favreau, the first live-action series from the space opera was also the inaugural offering for Disney+.
The narrative takes place five years after the events of Return of the Jedi and introduces us to lone gunslinger Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) as he becomes the caretaker of a Force-sensitive 50-year-old infant from the same species as Jedi Master Yoda.
Speaking with SW Holocron, Witwer reveals that he was part of a shortlist of actors who were poised to appear in The Mandalorian season 1. While he was thrilled for the opportunity, he wrongly assumed that he was included due to his close relationship with Filoni, who made his directorial debut in the series and is a creative collaborator of Favreau. Unfortunately, the pair kind of misunderstood each other resulting in Witwer removed from the selection.
I got put on a shortlist on Mandalorian for some role and I thought maybe that was from Dave [Filoni], but then I found out it was actually from casting. The casting came up with the idea. The way they do it, I guess, is they put a bunch of people on a list, and then the producers pick someone. So I relayed that to Dave, and I think it was awkward because I was saying ‘When I’m on the show’ and this and that. But what I was actually trying to say was I actually took myself off that list because I don’t want to mess with your show (Laughs).
Unfortunately, Witwer didn’t reveal what role he was up for in The Mandalorian season 1. Given this, fans are left to speculate who he was going to play, but from the looks of it, seems like it’s a limited role. In any case, it’s still not too late to bring him to the show with the series already confirmed for the third season – perhaps he might even appear in the upcoming outing, he just doesn’t want to spoil it yet.
