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

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

Portillo expressed her enthusiasm about collaborating with Sam Witwer, the iconic voice behind Darth Maul, 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 told IGN at Star Wars Celebration Japan. "He and [Lucasfilm CCO Dave] Filoni co-created the character in animation, and Sam's input is invaluable—from reading scripts to reviewing work-in-progress reels and color tests."

While Darth Maul has been a recurring presence, *Maul: Shadow Lord* promises to explore his story in unprecedented depth. "It's like Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees," Portillo humorously noted. "You keep defeating them, but they keep returning. In Star Wars, Darth Maul has 'died' multiple times, yet he persists. We're diving deep into his history through these stories."

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Portillo emphasized the significant enhancements in Lucasfilm Animation's production process, highlighting improvements in "animation, lighting, effects, matte paintings, lighting concepts, and assets." She recounted how Dave Filoni, after the Covid period, motivated the team to step out of their comfort zones. "He challenged us to create something beyond what we were used to, upgrading everything from body mechanics and facial animation to lighting," she said. "When Filoni reviewed an episode recently, he remarked, 'Wow, you guys are actually creating cinema.' He's proud of what we've achieved with *Maul: Shadow Lord*."

Portillo confirmed that *Maul: Shadow Lord* is a step up from previous projects like *The Bad Batch* and *Tales of the Underworld*, with a planned release in 2026, though the team is still hard at work on it.

*Tales of the Underworld*, set to premiere on Disney+ on May 4, 2025, will explore the lives of Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane as they navigate their villainous paths. The series will feature six episodes, with three dedicated to each character. Ventress' storyline will focus on her revival by Mother Talzin and her journey alongside a young boy, evolving into a tale of two Jedi on the run and a blossoming relationship.

Portillo clarified that *Tales of the Underworld* continues the narrative from the *Dark Disciple* novel, particularly emphasizing the connection between Ventress and Quinlan Vos. "The moment Vos declared his love for Ventress captivated fans," she said. "It's a story of forbidden love among Jedi, echoing other iconic Star Wars romances like Obi-Wan and Satine, and Anakin and Padmé."

Ventress' journey in the series also delves into her struggle with her past. "After enduring much, characters often reconsider their paths," Portillo explained. "Some seek exile from their history, while others embrace the dark side. Ventress meets someone in the first short who helps her find a better path."

Both *Tales of the Underworld* and *Maul: Shadow Lord* promise to enrich the Star Wars universe, and fans are eagerly awaiting their arrival. While *Tales of the Underworld* is slated for May 4, 2025, on Disney+, we're still on the lookout for a release date for *Maul: Shadow Lord*.