If Maul had survived "Episode I," the following is how I envision his story in "Episode II" would play out.
Maul’s plan in "The Phantom Menace" was to simply snatch Anakin away from the Jedi before he could be properly trained as a Jedi knight, and train him to become a Sith from childhood. A small detail that would have to be changed to accommodate this plan is Palpatine already holding the position of Chancellor in this first prequel film. Since only two Sith can exist at a time (the master and the apprentice), as soon as Maul had retrieved little Skywalker, Palpatine (Maul’s master, Darth Sidious, in disguise) would execute Order 66 (the ‘Jedi genocide’ order) and Maul would promptly execute his master in battle. This would leave Maul as the leader of the Empire and Anakin as his apprentice.
Darth Maul fails to capture Anakin in the first film (he just does; the details of his failure would take this far more into the depth of the movies’ other story issues. I’m focusing as exclusively as I can on Maul’s new story). After the first action sequence in "Attack of the Clones," there’s a scene where Anakin is seemingly alone. He expresses out loud his concerns over how his secret affectionate feelings for Princess Padmé can only remain hidden from the Jedi, especially his master Obi-Wan, for so long. Another person steps into the frame. Anakin isn’t just thinking out loud. He is consulting with Darth Maul.
In the decade between Episodes I and II, Anakin has developed what he perceives to be a mentor/mentee-like relationship with Darth Maul behind the Jedi’s backs. Any other Jedi would know that Maul isn't to be trusted, but Anakin is young and full of fear and Darth Maul tells him what he wants to hear. To Anakin, Maul is a wise friend who listens and offers advice on how to deal with serious personal issues. Sure, every now and then Maul will outright suggest that Anakin should join the dark side, but he doesn’t make Anakin do anything. He doesn’t judge Anakin’s actions as a Jedi would. Anakin truly believes that Maul cares about him.
After this first discussion scene between Maul and Anakin, I chose two key scenes from the original film and inserted Maul where I felt he’d have the most significance. However, Reader, I’m almost to my word limit and will have to address these scenes in the next issue! I look forward to sharing them with you in a week!
Need a recap? Read Part I.
