There is little doubt that Ray Park's performance as Darth Maul was one of the best things about Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. Not surprisingly, Sam Witwer looks up to Park and credits him as the main reason why Maul was brought back in Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
Witwer has taken over the voice work for Maul in The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels, and Solo: A Star Wars Story. Nevertheless, the actor told ComicBook.com that he places "a lot of the credit at Ray's feet."
"He brought an amazing presence and a wonderful performance to it in Phantom Menace. It's really stuck with us all as fans. Ray had created a character that was very healthy in the fans' eyes and in the hearts of fans, really had a wonderful life that went beyond Phantom Menace, all because of the presence of Ray Park."
Fans were somehow devastated when Darth Maul was killed by Obi-Wan Kenobi in the prequels but the Sith Lord has such an enduring quality that he was brought back in the fourth season of The Clone Wars. Although people have been hoping that Witwer would play Maul in a live-action Star Wars film, he refuses to do so if Park is not involved.
"I would always insist that Ray be there and that his presence be a part of that character because of the composite nature of these characters. Even when it came to Clone Wars, we were animating to create Ray. That's the way I feel about it. You have to have the right people in place, and you have to have the right care for it. If you're going to get the character right, Ray must be involved."
It would be great to see Park return as one of the most iconic Star Wars villain in the future. Here's hoping Maul will have a major comeback in the big screen soon.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season 7 will be available on the Disney streaming service in 2019.
Related: Star Wars: The Clone Wars Writer Confirms Wolffe Took Part In Order 66
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