Wagner Moura on Representation and Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord

by

Seeing Latino actors like himself appear in Star Wars proved to Wagner Moura that achieving what once seemed unattainable was actually within reach.

Joining the series with the animated show, Moura plays Captain Brander Lawson, a tough but dedicated detective and father trying to keep the peace on the chaotic planet of Janix. However, his strong sense of justice frequently clashes with Maul, as this determined “street-smart cop” struggles to oppose the criminal organization Maul is rebuilding after the Clone Wars.

In a conversation with Ash Crossan from ScreenRant, actor Wagner Moura explained that as a child growing up in Brazil, joining the Star Wars franchise seemed incredibly distant. He credited actors like Diego Luna, who appeared in the series Andor, with making it feel more attainable, noting that seeing Latino representation was crucial not just for him, but for young Latino children everywhere.

It’s amazing. Growing up in Brazil during the 80s and 90s, the idea of a Brazilian actor being involved in something like this felt completely out of reach. It truly felt like a dream come true – something from another world.

I was really struck by Diego Luna’s performance in Andor. Hearing him use his natural Mexican accent felt incredibly significant – not just for me personally, but especially for young Latinos and kids who might now feel more represented in such a massive pop culture universe. It was a really positive and exciting moment.

The “Pinch-Me” Moment Came When Moura Was In The Recording Booth

Stepping into the world of Star Wars felt incredibly surreal for Moura. It wasn’t just about continuing the tradition of representation for a Brazilian actor, but also about reconnecting with his childhood. He described the moment he started voicing the character of Lawson as a truly unbelievable, “pinch-me” experience.

When I was acting, my main goal was to bring the character to life, and thankfully, the writing made that pretty easy. He’s a really complex character, and I appreciated how much depth there was to everything in the show. It wasn’t at all superficial. You could actually sympathize with these characters, even when they were doing bad things – and sometimes, even more dangerous people were involved.

Captain Lawson Tapped Into His Own Feelings About Fatherhood

Actor Wagner Moura understands the challenges faced by actor Jack Lawson, who is currently working to bring stability to Janix. Lawson’s demanding work often takes him away from his family, a situation Moura, a father of three, knows well. With his career gaining momentum – including an Oscar nomination for The Secret Agent and his new role in the Star Wars universe – Moura finds it difficult to be as present for his family as he’d like.

Wagner Moura describes his character, Lawson, as a fundamentally good person who tends to bend or break the rules. Lawson is resourceful and relies on his instincts as a police officer. Moura also connects with the character on a personal level, as Lawson is a father. Moura, who has three sons himself, feels a similar struggle to balance work and family life and wishes he could spend more time with his children.

The character has a lot of depth, with mysteries surrounding his past – his connection to the Empire, the story of his wife, and her current whereabouts. He’s a particularly intricate character to portray, especially in an animated format, so my main goal was to make him feel real and believable.

Wagner Calls Lawson’s Relationship With Maul “Complex”

Although their dynamic appears simple – a police officer and a criminal – actor Moura told ScreenRant that Maul and Lawson’s relationship is actually quite complex. He explained that Maul’s connection with Devon makes him think about his own son and what he feels he’s lacking in their relationship.

Wagner Moura believes the character he plays views Maul as a criminal who needs to be apprehended. As a dedicated police officer, that’s his primary goal. However, things become more complicated when he observes the connection between Maul and Devon. He begins to recognize parallels between their relationship and his own strained connection with his son, highlighting what he feels is lacking in his own life.

Okay, so what really struck me about this series is the surprisingly strong undercurrent of parenthood. We’ve got Devon and her mentor-like figure, Maul relentlessly pursuing her, and then Lawson, who’s clearly struggling to be present for his own kid. It makes me wonder if Lawson sees helping Devon as a way to make up for his own shortcomings. Honestly, the dynamic between Lawson and Maul? It’s giving me major Heat vibes. You’ve got these two incredibly powerful, complicated men on opposite sides, but neither one is a simple ‘good guy’ or ‘bad guy.’ It’s a really compelling parallel.

Check out more of our Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord coverage here:

  • Star Wars Just Gave Us A Version of Darth Maul I Never Thought We’d See
  • Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord Episodes 7-8 Ending Explained: Solo Is Finally Being Redeemed
  • 18 Biggest Easter Eggs & Star Wars References In Maul – Shadow Lord Episodes 7-8

Read More

2026-04-28 21:46