If Star Wars Celebration Japan is any indication, fans can look forward to an exciting array of animated Star Wars projects in the near future. Athena Portillo, Vice President of Animation at Lucasfilm, shared insights during an exclusive interview with IGN about two highly anticipated series: the newly announced Tales of the Underworld and Maul: Shadow Lord.
Portillo expressed her enthusiasm about collaborating with Sam Witwer, the voice behind Darth Maul in Star Wars animated projects, on Maul: Shadow Lord. "Sam was deeply involved in developing the character's depth and lore, working alongside our head writer and supervising director," she told IGN at Star Wars Celebration Japan. "He has been instrumental in shaping Maul's character, having co-created him with Lucasfilm CCO Dave Filoni in animation. Sam reviews scripts, watches the work-in-progress reels, and provides valuable feedback."
This isn't the first time fans have seen Darth Maul, but Maul: Shadow Lord promises to explore his story like never before. "We often joke within the Lucasfilm Animation team that Maul is like Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees," Portillo remarked. "You keep killing them, but they keep coming back. It's that ever-present threat that defines Star Wars. Maul has died many times, yet he persists. We're delving deep into his history with this series."
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 techniques, highlighting improvements in "animation, lighting, effects, matte paintings, lighting concepts, and assets."
"When Filoni initiated the Maul series post-Covid, he urged the team to step out of their comfort zones," she explained. "He emphasized that discomfort leads to innovation. We've upgraded our animation style, including body mechanics, facial animations, and lighting. After watching one of our episodes, Filoni remarked, 'Wow, you guys are creating cinema.' He was incredibly proud of what Lucasfilm Animation has accomplished with this show."
Portillo added, "Everything is an upgrade from our previous work, including The Bad Batch and Tales of the Underworld. We've just finished 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 with three episodes, totaling six. Ventress' storyline will focus on her second chance given by Mother Talzin. "Ventress meets a boy in the first short, leading to a narrative about two Jedi on the run and their evolving relationship over the three shorts," Portillo shared.
Ventress' resurrection, a topic of debate among fans since the *Dark Disciple* novel, is confirmed to be canon in *Tales of the Underworld*. "The connection between Quinlan Vos and Ventress was a highlight for fans," Portillo noted. "When Vos declared his love for her, it was a powerful moment. Fans crave these love stories, especially given the Jedi's traditional detachment. It echoes other iconic Star Wars romances like Obi-Wan and Satine, or Padmé and Anakin."Portillo also touched on Ventress' introspection about her past. "After enduring much, some characters reassess their paths," she said. "Some choose exile, while others embrace the dark side. Ventress' story will show how certain encounters can lead to personal growth and redemption."
Both Tales of the Underworld and Maul: Shadow Lord promise to enrich the Star Wars universe. Tales of the Underworld is scheduled to premiere on Disney+ on May 4, 2025, while Maul: Shadow Lord is slated for release in 2026.
