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

Star Wars fans have much to look forward to with the upcoming animated projects, as revealed at Star Wars Celebration Japan. Athena Portillo, Vice President of Animation at Lucasfilm, provided an exclusive interview with IGN, shedding light on the eagerly anticipated series, Tales of the Underworld and Maul: Shadow Lord.

Portillo expressed her enthusiasm for collaborating with Sam Witwer, the iconic voice of Darth Maul, on Maul: Shadow Lord. "Sam was deeply involved in shaping Maul's character depth and lore alongside our head writer and supervising director," she told IGN. "Together with Lucasfilm CCO Dave Filoni, who co-created the character, Sam reviews scripts, watches work-in-progress reels, and provides valuable feedback."

This series offers a fresh perspective on Darth Maul, a character who has seemingly defied death multiple times. Portillo humorously likened Maul to horror icons like Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees, noting, "Like you keep killing them, but they keep coming back. There is that threat that's always there, right? It's Star Wars, after all. Maul has died so many times, but he keeps returning. We're diving deep into Maul's history with these stories."

How Darth Maul Went From Supporting Villain to Star Wars Icon

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Portillo emphasized the significant advancements in Lucasfilm Animation's production quality, particularly in "the animation, the lighting, the effects, the matte paintings, the lighting concepts, and the assets." She detailed how Dave Filoni, after the challenges of the Covid era, motivated the team to push beyond their comfort zones. "Filoni encouraged us to create something that upgrades what we're used to doing, from body mechanics and facial animations to updated body rigs and all the lighting," she explained. "After watching one of our episodes, Filoni remarked, 'Wow, you guys, you are actually creating cinema.' He was proud of our achievements with this show."

Portillo highlighted that Maul: Shadow Lord represents a significant upgrade from previous works, including The Bad Batch and Tales of the Underworld, with its release slated for 2026.

Tales of the Underworld will explore the journeys of Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane as they navigate their roles as villains. The series will feature three episodes for each character, totaling six. Ventress' storyline will delve into her resurrection by Mother Talzin and her subsequent encounters with a young boy, leading to a narrative about two Jedi on the run and a budding relationship.

Portillo confirmed that Tales of the Underworld picks up where the Dark Disciple novel left off, particularly focusing on the emotional connection between Ventress and Quinlan Vos. "The moment Vos declared his love for Ventress resonated deeply with fans," she shared. "Jedi are not supposed to form attachments, yet these love stories, like those of Obi-Wan and Satine or Anakin and Padme, captivate audiences. Ventress and Vos add another layer to these narratives."

Ventress' journey also involves grappling with her past and exploring new paths. "Characters often reassess their direction after enduring hardships," Portillo noted. "Some choose exile, distancing themselves from their history, while others turn to the dark side. Ventress' story explores how meeting someone new can lead to personal growth and balance."

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