Lucasfilm Animation VP Discusses Tales of the Underworld and Maul: Shadow Lord: 'An Upgrade'

If the buzz from Star Wars Celebration Japan is any indication, fans are in for a treat with upcoming animated Star Wars projects. In an exclusive interview with IGN, Athena Portillo, Vice President of Animation at Lucasfilm, shared exciting details about two highly anticipated series: the newly announced Tales of the Underworld and Maul: Shadow Lord.

Portillo's enthusiasm was palpable as she discussed collaborating with Sam Witwer, the voice behind Darth Maul in Star Wars animations, on Maul: Shadow Lord. "Sam was deeply involved in developing Maul's character depth and lore, working closely with our head writer and supervising director," she shared during the event. "He and [Lucasfilm CCO Dave] Filoni co-created the character for animation, and he gets to review scripts, watch the whip reels, and provide crucial input."

This isn't the first time we've seen Maul, but Maul: Shadow Lord promises to explore the depths of this enduring villain like never before. Portillo humorously likened Maul to iconic horror figures: "It's like Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees. You keep killing them, but they keep coming back. That's the threat with Maul. He's died multiple times, yet he keeps returning. We're delving into his history and jumping into new stories."

How Darth Maul Went From Supporting Villain to Star Wars Icon

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Portillo highlighted the significant enhancements in Lucasfilm Animation's production techniques, including animation, lighting, effects, matte paintings, lighting concepts, and assets. "When Filoni launched the Maul show post-Covid, he encouraged our team to step out of their comfort zones," she explained. "He said, 'Being uncomfortable leads to greater things. Create something that surpasses our usual standards.' This has resulted in upgrades in animation style, body mechanics, facial animation, and lighting. Filoni recently remarked, 'Wow, you guys are creating cinema,' expressing pride in what Lucasfilm Animation has achieved."

Portillo added, "Everything is an upgrade from our previous works, including The Bad Batch and Tales of the Underworld. We've just completed Tales of the Underworld and are set to release Maul: Shadow Lord in 2026, though we're still refining it."

Tales of the Underworld will follow Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane as they navigate their villainous journeys, with three episodes dedicated to each character, totaling six. Ventress's episodes will focus on her resurrection by Mother Talzin and her subsequent adventures with a young boy, forming a poignant relationship story across the three shorts.

Ventress's narrative picks up from the Dark Disciple novel, confirming her resurrection as canon. Portillo shared, "The connection between Quinlan Vos and Ventress was a highlight. When Vos declared, 'I will always love you,' it resonated deeply with fans. Despite Jedi norms, love stories like Obi-Wan and Satine, Padme and Anakin, and now Ventress and Vos, captivate audiences."

Portillo also touched on Ventress's journey of self-discovery and redemption. "After enduring much, characters often reassess their paths. Some choose exile from their past, while others embrace the dark side. In Ventress's story, a new character enters her life, offering a chance for growth and balance."

Both series promise to enrich the Star Wars universe. Tales of the Underworld is slated to premiere on Disney+ on May 4, 2025, while fans eagerly await a release date for Maul: Shadow Lord.