The hero in a possible ‘Solo’ sequel could be the villain

IF HAN Solo can’t save the day, can a Sith?

After an opening weekend that came in well-below estimates, the potential for more “Solo” movies isn’t as clear as it might have seemed.

“Solo’s” debut box office performance has caused a disturbance in the buzz of this fi lm’s biggest surprise: The reveal that Darth Maul is in this movie and a major player for any future “Solo” adventures.

Think back to when Disney and Lucasfi lm’s other stand-alone film, “Rogue One,” was preparing to hit theatres in 2016. Trailers had a dash of Darth Vader, letting you know there was the potential for new Vader greatness on the screen. “Rogue One” would go on to have one of Darth Vader’s greatest moments, in which he slices and force- chokes his way through a bunch of rebels. A big part of what got people to the box office for “Rogue One” was Vader’s presence.

“Solo” kept its Sith reveal much closer to the chest, with Disney/ Lucasfi lm deciding to let Darth Maul’s reveal be a surprise. He appeared in none of the trailers or other advertising nor was he listed as a main character.

With Han Solo, Chewbacca and a great performance by Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian, the marketers perhaps thought that there was enough original “Star Wars” star-power to get fans to the movies.

“Solo’s” box office might have been a victim of the aftereffects of “The Last Jedi,” a Star Wars episode that was more polarising than it was a holiday event. Money was made. But not all fans were happy, especially those who were grumpy about the role Mark Hamill’s Luke Skywalker played in his highly anticipated return. “Rogue One” had no such dark “Star Wars” cloud hanging over it.

If there’s anyone who can get more fans out to see “Solo” by geeky word of mouth alone, it’s Darth Maul, a character considered to be one of the highlights of the muchcriticised “Star Wars” prequels.

Darth Maul has a passionate “Star Wars” following, mainly from Ray Park’s stellar performance in what is widely considered the best lightsabre duel ever, in “Episode 1: The Phantom Menace.” He’s also had a strong presence in “Star Wars” animation.

Many thought Darth Maul should have been the villain in multiple prequels, but for Anakin Skywalker to become Darth Vader, an opening had to made in the Sith apprentice role. So “The Phantom Menace” killed off Maul, as he fell to a young ObiWan Kenobi.

Darth Maul’s surprise appearance toward the end of “Solo” means that if there is a sequel, he could play a major part in it. More Darth Maul dialogue and double- edged lightsabre action, the kind that could be part of a marketing campaign, could be just the thing to get the “Solo” franchise back on solid ground.

A movie at times is only as good as its villain. — WPBloomberg