‘Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord’ Star Sam Witwer Says Star Wars Needs to Take Bigger Creative Risks
Sam Witwer believes the future of Star Wars depends on the franchise being willing to try new ideas, even if every project does not work for every fan. The actor, who has been closely connected to the galaxy far, far away for years, says taking chances is an important part of keeping the franchise alive.
Witwer recently shared his thoughts on the direction of Star Wars and explained that playing it safe could prevent the franchise from growing. According to his comments, fans will always have different opinions about new movies and shows, but experimentation is what allows creators to discover fresh stories.
“Certain things are gonna hit with certain audiences – everyone has their favorite. But without that spirit of experimentation, you don’t get anywhere,” Witwer said.
The actor explained that creative risks naturally come with the possibility that some projects will not connect with viewers. However, he believes that avoiding risks completely would make it harder for Star Wars to create something truly special.
“At the end of the day, it is all about risk-taking, and I think as audience members [and] as a fan myself, I accept that if you’re taking swings, that means that [you’re] not gonna connect with everything,” he added.
Witwer’s comments come at a time when Star Wars continues to expand with new stories across movies, television, animation, and other media. The franchise has seen both major successes and mixed reactions from fans in recent years, leading to ongoing discussions about what direction it should take next.
As someone who has been part of the Star Wars universe for a long time, Witwer understands the challenges of balancing fan expectations with the need for new ideas. He first became a major part of the franchise through his voice work as Darth Maul in animated projects, especially Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels.
His connection to the character continues with his latest appearance in Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord, an animated series that explores Darth Maul’s story after the events of The Clone Wars. The project gives fans another look at Maul’s journey and shows why Witwer remains one of the most recognized voices connected to the character.
Because of his long history with Star Wars, Witwer has seen how different creative choices can create strong reactions from fans. His point is that not every story needs to be loved by everyone, as long as creators continue pushing the franchise forward.

For Witwer, the biggest danger is not making a mistake. Instead, it is refusing to take any chances at all. He believes Star Wars became successful because it introduced audiences to unexpected ideas, new characters, and different worlds.
While some fans may prefer stories that feel familiar, Witwer argues that the franchise needs room to experiment. New approaches may not always succeed, but they can also lead to the next great Star Wars story.
With projects like Maul – Shadow Lord continuing to expand the universe, Witwer hopes the franchise keeps exploring new paths rather than staying stuck in the past.
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