Mark Hamill has been a part of the Star Wars universe since the very beginning and, while much has changed over the past 40 years, the one character Hamill wish got bigger play was Darth Maul.
Speaking to reporters at D23, Disney’s convention in Anaheim, California, Hamill said he always thought Darth Maul was one of the coolest villains, adding that he was surprised when the Sith Lord was cut in half by Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace.
“Darth Maul was just the coolest looking,” Hamill said. “I couldn’t believe they disposed of him so quickly. I thought he would last through all three movies!”
Although Maul’s journey in the main Star Wars series came to an end after The Phantom Menace, he never actually died. According to the official Star Wars website, Darth Maul “survived his injuries by focusing on his hatred of Obi-Wan Kenobi, the Jedi who cut him in half. His shattered body was dumped amid the refuse of the junk planet Lotho Minor, where the once deadly warrior fell into madness, staying alive on a diet of vermin.”
This story arc, and future narratives involving Darth Maul, was introduced in Star Wars: Rebels and Star Wars: Clone Wars, two animated series developed by Lucasfilm.
So while Hamill might be disappointed that Darth Maul never got the three-movie treatment he deserved, the character was explored a little more in-depth as the Star Wars universe grew.
The next installment in the Star Wars franchise, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, will be released on Dec. 15.