Star Wars fans have much to look forward to, as indicated by the recent Star Wars Celebration Japan, where a wealth of animated projects were teased. Athena Portillo, Vice President of Animation at Lucasfilm, shared insights in an exclusive IGN interview about two highly anticipated series: the newly announced *Tales of the Underworld* and *Maul: Shadow Lord*.
Portillo expressed excitement about collaborating with Sam Witwer, the iconic voice behind Darth Maul in Star Wars animations, for *Maul: Shadow Lord*. "Sam was deeply involved in developing the character's depth and lore, working closely with our head writer and supervising director," she told IGN. "Both Sam and [Lucasfilm CCO Dave] Filoni have co-created this character in animation, and he provides invaluable input on scripts, whip reels, and color palettes."
This series marks a deep dive into the enduring villain's story. Portillo humorously likened Maul to horror icons like Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees, noting, "Like you keep killing them, but they keep coming back. There is that constant threat, right? I mean, it's Star Wars, so Darth Maul has 'died' many times, but he does keep returning. We're exploring Maul’s history and delving into his narrative in these stories."
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Portillo highlighted significant enhancements in Lucasfilm Animation's production process, including "animation, lighting, effects, matte paintings, lighting concepts, and assets." She shared how Dave Filoni challenged the team post-Covid to push beyond their comfort zones. "He said, ‘You all need to pull yourself out of complacency. Being uncomfortable leads to greater things. Create something that upgrades what we're used to doing,’" she recounted. "We've updated our body rigs, facial animations, and lighting, and Filoni remarked last week, ‘Wow, you guys, you are actually creating cinema.’ He's proud of what Lucasfilm Animation has achieved with this show."
Portillo emphasized that *Maul: Shadow Lord* is an upgrade from previous works like *The Bad Batch* and *Tales of the Underworld*. "We just completed *Tales of the Underworld* and are set to release *Maul* in 2026, but we're still refining it."
*Tales of the Underworld* will explore the journeys of Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane, each character featured in three episodes, totaling six. Ventress' storyline will delve into her revival by Mother Talzin, leading to a narrative involving two Jedi on the run and a budding relationship.
Ventress' resurrection, hinted at in the *Dark Disciple* novel, is confirmed as part of the series' canon. Portillo noted, "My favorite part of that is the Quinlan Vos and Ventress connection. When he said, ‘I will always love you,’ it resonated deeply with fans. These stories, especially the forbidden love between Jedi, captivate audiences, similar to Obi-Wan Kenobi and Satine, Padme and Anakin, and now Ventress and Quinlan Vos."
Ventress' journey also explores her grappling with her past. "Sometimes, after enduring much, individuals reconsider their paths," Portillo said. "Some choose exile, distancing themselves from their history, while others embrace the dark side. Ventress' story involves a character who enters her life, offering a positive influence and balance."
Both *Tales of the Underworld* and *Maul: Shadow Lord* promise to enrich the Star Wars universe. *Tales of the Underworld* is slated for release on Disney+ on May 4, 2025, with fans eagerly awaiting further details on *Maul: Shadow Lord*.
