Star Wars fans have a lot to look forward to in the near future, especially in the realm of animated projects. At Star Wars Celebration Japan, Athena Portillo, Vice President of Animation at Lucasfilm, shared insights with IGN about two highly anticipated series: the newly announced Tales of the Underworld and Maul: Shadow Lord.
Portillo expressed her excitement about collaborating with Sam Witwer, the iconic voice behind Darth Maul, on Maul: Shadow Lord. "Sam was deeply involved with the character depth and lore, working alongside our head writer and supervising director," she told IGN. "He's been integral to Maul's development since he and [Lucasfilm CCO Dave] Filoni co-created the character in animation. Sam reviews scripts, watches whip reels, and provides valuable input on the character's evolution."
Darth Maul's journey from a supporting villain to a Star Wars icon is a testament to the character's enduring appeal. "We often joke at Lucasfilm Animation that Maul is like Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees. He keeps coming back, no matter how many times you think he's gone," Portillo remarked. "In Maul: Shadow Lord, we're exploring his rich history and delving into stories that fans have been eager to see."
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, and asset creation. "When Dave Filoni initiated the Maul series post-Covid, he challenged our team to break out of their comfort zones," she explained. "He encouraged us to create something that surpasses our previous work, focusing on body mechanics, facial animations, updated body rigs, and enhanced lighting. After watching one of our episodes, Filoni remarked, 'Wow, you guys are creating cinema.' He was immensely proud of what Lucasfilm Animation has achieved with this show."
Portillo noted that Maul: Shadow Lord represents a significant upgrade from their past projects, including The Bad Batch and Tales of the Underworld. "We've just completed Tales of the Underworld, and we're set to release Maul: Shadow Lord in 2026, but we're still refining it," she added.
Tales of the Underworld will focus on Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane, each receiving three episodes, totaling six. Portillo revealed that Ventress' episodes will explore her return facilitated by Mother Talzin and her evolving relationship with a boy she meets, leading to a story of two Jedi on the run. "Ventress' journey is about confronting her past and reevaluating her path," Portillo said. "Sometimes, people enter your life to help you become a better person, and the character she meets in the first short plays a crucial role in her development."
Ventress' storyline also ties into the Dark Disciple novel, where fans speculated about her death and rebirth. Portillo confirmed that Tales of the Underworld continues this narrative. "The connection between Quinlan Vos and Ventress was a highlight for fans, especially when Vos declared his love for her," she shared. "These love stories resonate deeply, even though Jedi are traditionally forbidden from such attachments. It's similar to the stories of Obi-Wan and Satine, or Padme and Anakin."
Both Tales of the Underworld and Maul: Shadow Lord promise to expand the Star Wars universe in exciting ways. Tales of the Underworld is scheduled to premiere on Disney+ on May 4, 2025, while fans eagerly await a release date for Maul: Shadow Lord.
