Fans who've seen Solo: A Star Wars Story were pleasantly surprised when Phantom Menace villain Darth Maul appeared. Still played by original actor Ray Park, fans were happy to see the villain alive again after being killed multiple times, even though those times happened after this movie in the timeline. Oddly enough, even with Park there they opted to get Maul's voice actor Sam Witwer to speak lines for Park.
If you find this decision odd you're not the only one, as Witwer himself could not believe that he was being brought back to voice Darth Maul.
Witwer told CinemaBlend that it was a mixture of shock and disbelief when he was phoned for the return. That doesn't mean he hated the role since he shared how giddy he was talking to Ray Park about returning to the villain. Still, Witwer did find it awkward since he has said goodbye to the character numerous times at this point.
"I sure wasn't expecting it. It was a little bit of a surprise. Look, it was shock and disbelief. I didn't believe what I was being told, and furthermore, I didn't know the story at the time, so it had to be explained to me what the significance of this whole plot was. And then getting on the phone with Ray Park and sharing our giddiness over the fact that we had the opportunity to do this. But yeah, look, I've publicly said goodbye to the Maul character I think twice. When Clone Wars was over, I think I did a few interviews where I said, 'Ah, it was a wonderful time and I'm saying goodbye to the character.' And then he was back for Rebels. And then after Rebels, he gets killed and I go, 'Well, it was a wonderful run and I'm saying goodbye to the character.' And then Solo..."
Those that enjoy the animated Star Wars shows know that Witwer has voiced Maul for both The Clone Wars and Rebels, the latter of which had the supposed death of this character. Witwer had said goodbye to Maul when Clone Wars was canceled and when the character was killed during Rebels, so coming back a third time is odd. Even odder that he provided the voice for someone in live-action.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars is set to return sometime in 2019. We have no idea if Witwer will return to Maul again.
Read:George Lucas Cut A "More Gruesome" Order 66 Sequence From Star Wars: Revenge of The Sith