Star Wars actor Peter Serafinowicz has revealed that watching Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace was the 'biggest disappointment of my life'. The 53-year-old actor, who voiced the villain Darth Maul in the 1999 film, made the admission on comic Seann Walsh's Classic Cown podcast.
Serafinowicz's candid remarks
Serafinowicz, who made his feature film debut with the Star Wars prequel, told Walsh: 'When I saw the film, it was the biggest disappointment of my life at that point.' He pointedly asked the host, 'I mean, have you seen it?', having stunned him with the announcement.
The actor, known for roles in Shaun of the Dead, Guardians of the Galaxy and the live-action How to Train Your Dragon, admitted he was perplexed by the design of his character. 'I wasn't that into Darth Maul,' he said, referring to the character's red skin with black tattoos and spikes protruding from his forehead.
Pressure of following James Earl Jones
Serafinowicz recalled feeling the weight of stepping into the role of the franchise's next baddie after James Earl Jones's iconic portrayal of Darth Vader. 'James Earl Jones has got the best voice of any human ever, right?' he reasoned. 'Then, suddenly there I was with George Lucas, and he was saying, “Well, Peter, you're the new James Earl Jones,” and I was like, “F***ing hell, am I? Then why are you paying me such s**t money, George?”'
He also alluded to struggling with high expectations, adding: 'It was so exciting that even being in it and doing this thing – what I thought was going to be this iconic thing – it's just unimaginable right?'
Family reactions and legacy
Serafinowicz remembered trying to impress his son with his casting, but the plan backfired when he had to explain: 'I didn't do all the sword fighting, I just do his voice.' He added: 'He only says about 20 words in the whole film.' British martial artist and stunt man Ray Park played the part physically.
Despite Walsh insisting that the role was 'iconic', Serafinowicz responded: 'I'm delighted I've done that – it's just a really weird thing to be associated with.' He has since been replaced by Sam Witwer, who recorded a cameo for the 2018 spin-off Solo: A Star Wars Story and voiced the main role in the new animated show Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord, released on Disney Plus in April.
