the man behind the menace

In Star Wars Episode 1: the Phantom Menace, there existed a ruthless assassin by the name of Darth Maul (above, left). Mentored by the evil Darth Sidious and powered by the dark side, Maul, for me, was the most malevolent force – and face – in the Star Wars universe.

So who would think that the guy who played him – Ray Park – actually looks like this (below)?

He may appear charming and friendly, but mind you, he and Darth Maul have a lot in common.

Like the deadly Maul, Ray started combat training at a very young age. When he was only seven years old, Glasgow-born Parks trained in Northern Shaolin Kung-Fu. At sixteen, he was the United Kingdom's Martial Arts National Champion. In the 1993 World Wushu Games in Malaysia, he competed as a member of the British Wushu Team.

Like Darth Maul, Ray was trained to kill.

But unlike his sinister Star Wars character, Ray will play the 'good guy' very soon – as the mysterious hero Snake Eyes in the forthcoming movie, G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra.

Yup, I have two of the same bearbrick and I'm giving one away for free! Just leave your nickname (or pseudonym) and city of residence in the comments section. After a week, I will write down each of the names in small pieces of paper, put them in a box from which a winner will be drawn. Don't worry, I will ask a friend to pick the winner! :-)

I will announce the raffle winner in my next blog entry. The winner should email me his/her postal address so I can send the Darth Maul bearbrick to him/her by registered airmail – absolutely FREE! Simple, isn't it?

Ray Park pics from www.raypark.com / Darth Maul head shot from www.cinematicwallpaper.com / Info from wikipedia and www.imdb.com

be@rbrick dearest

One of the most expensive Be@bricks is the Star Wars Wicket, mainly because it is part of
a highly collectible toy franchise. Add that to the fact that there is only 0.52% chance that you will get one in a blind box assortment in stores.

The Wicket Be@rbrick, released in December 2003 as a 'secret' Be@rbrick, was based on the lead Ewok character from 'Return of the Jedi'. Ewoks are a cross between walking teddy bears and shih-tzus, and belong to an alien race of tree dwelling hunters-gatherers in the Star Wars universe. They may be small and cute but they're omnivores – meaning, while they love berries and other forest fruits, they'd have no problems eating humans. :-)