Lucasfilm Animation VP Discusses Underworld Tales 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 eagerly anticipated series during an exclusive interview with IGN: the newly announced *Tales of the Underworld* and *Maul: Shadow Lord*.

Portillo expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with Sam Witwer, the 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's been instrumental in shaping Maul since the character's creation with Dave Filoni, providing input on scripts, animatics, and color tests."

This isn't the first time we've seen Maul, but *Maul: Shadow Lord* promises to explore the villain's backstory in unprecedented depth. "It's like Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees," Portillo quipped. "You keep killing them, but they keep coming back. In Star Wars, Darth Maul has died multiple times, yet he persists. We're diving deep into his history with these stories."

How Darth Maul Went From Supporting Villain to Star Wars Icon

View 14 Images

Portillo emphasized the significant advancements in Lucasfilm Animation's production techniques, highlighting improvements in "animation, lighting, effects, matte paintings, lighting concepts, and assets."

Following the global health crisis, Dave Filoni encouraged the team to push their boundaries. "He challenged us to step out of our comfort zones," Portillo explained. "He wanted us to create something beyond what we're accustomed to, upgrading body mechanics, facial animations, and lighting. When Filoni reviewed our latest episode, he remarked, 'Wow, you guys are actually creating cinema.' He's incredibly proud of what we've achieved with *Maul: Shadow Lord*."

Portillo added, "Everything we're doing is an upgrade from our past projects, including *The Bad Batch* and *Tales of the Underworld*. We've just finished *Tales of the Underworld* and are set to release *Maul: Shadow Lord* in 2026, but we're still refining it."

*Tales of the Underworld* will explore the journeys of Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane, with three episodes dedicated to each character, totaling six. Ventress's arc will focus on her second chance given by Mother Talzin, leading to a narrative involving two Jedi on the run and a budding relationship.

Ventress's story continues from the *Dark Disciple* novel, where her death and rebirth were left ambiguous. Portillo confirmed that *Tales of the Underworld* picks up from there. "The connection between Quinlan Vos and Ventress is my favorite," she said. "Fans were moved by Vos's declaration of love. It's a powerful narrative, especially given the Jedi's usual detachment, echoing other iconic love stories in Star Wars like Obi-Wan and Satine, or Padme and Anakin."

Ventress's journey in the series also explores her reflection on her past and her path forward. "After facing many trials, characters often reassess their direction," Portillo noted. "Some choose exile, others the dark side. Ventress's story involves a character who enters her life to help her become a better person, offering a positive balance."

Both *Tales of the Underworld* and *Maul: Shadow Lord* promise to enrich the Star Wars universe in fascinating ways. *Tales of the Underworld* is scheduled to premiere on Disney+ on May 4, 2025, while *Maul: Shadow Lord* is slated for release in 2026.