Key Takeaways:
– Ray Park’s addition of the little detail of Maul barely blinking made the character more fearsome.
– George Lucas initially wanted Maul to look like a worst nightmare.
– The final look of Maul went through many revisions and was inspired by several tribal cultures.
Ray Park Injects a Sinister Detail Into Darth Maul’s Character
Ray Park, the actor notorious for his portrayal of Darth Maul in ‘The Phantom Menace,’ is well-known for his tremendous acting skills and commitment to character. Maul, the Sith apprentice in the 1999 film directed by George Lucas, became less of a human and more of a menace with one simple detail. This detail, to the surprise of many, was Park’s refusal to blink during shooting.
Actor Park Wears Less Comfort for More Menace
Not only did the British actor and martial artist, Ray Park, build the character of Darth Maul with very few physical dialogues, but he also brought it to life by adding a unique detail. Park bore the discomfort of wearing bright red and yellow contact lenses to capture Maul’s inhumanity. With these uncomfortable lenses, he completed his scenes by avoiding blinking as much as possible. Surprisingly, this minimal modification amplified the ominous vibe of the character, making him more fearful.
Park’s Avoidance of Blinking Adds Monstrosity to Maul
We see the consequences of Park’s decision to endure the discomfort of these lenses throughout the film. He rarely blinks, lending a terrifying quality to his character. This unblinking, intimidating presence lends credence to the perception that Darth Maul is a real threat in the film.
The Real Nightmare: Concept Behind Darth Maul’s Look
What we see of Darth Maul in the film is quite terrifying. However, the original design for the character was meant to depict our worst nightmares, as stated by George Lucas, the director himself. Lucas’s team of concept artists, along with Lucas himself, made countless revisions to Darth Maul’s appearance before settling on the final look.
Discomfort Turns Into an Advantage
The only instance during the movie where Maul blinks is after Obi-Wan Kenobi impales him, marking his eventual defeat. But until that point, Maul’s almost inhuman ability to avoid blinking adds an extra layer of terror to the character. Somehow, this lack of humanity—stemming from discomfort—added to Maul’s monstrous nature.
George’s Nightmare Proves Too Scary
In an interview with the official Star Wars website, Iain McCaig, the concept designer for the film, revealed details about Lucas’s original idea for Maul. Lucas had wished for Maul to be the kind of figure that haunted one’s worst nightmares. McCaig’s initial design was too eerie and was quickly shelved.
The Final Look Emerges From Tribal Inspirations
The challenge for the concept artist was to create a terrifying figure without toppling into the realm of excessive horror. McCaig adopted patterns seen in tribal cultures and animal markings for the final look. Hence, the flayed flesh look that Maul displays in the final film was born.
Little did Ray Park know, his choice of comfort in avoiding blinking ended up defining Darth Maul’s menacing character. This revelation underlines the intricacies that go into filmmaking and character building. Fans can watch and enjoy the entire Star Wars series on Disney+.
