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 in an exclusive IGN interview about two highly anticipated series: the newly announced Tales of the Underworld and Maul: Shadow Lord.
Portillo expressed her enthusiasm for collaborating with Sam Witwer, the long-time voice actor for Darth Maul, on 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 at Star Wars Celebration Japan. “He has a significant role in shaping Maul's character, having co-created him with Dave Filoni in animation. Sam reviews scripts, watches the whip reels, and provides valuable input on everything from color to character development.”
This isn't the first time we've seen Maul, but Maul: Shadow Lord offers a unique opportunity to explore the depths of this iconic villain. Portillo humorously likened Maul to horror icons Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees, saying, “Like you keep killing them, but they keep coming back. There's always that looming threat, right? In Star Wars, Maul has died multiple times, yet he always returns. We're diving deep into his history and exploring new stories.”
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 quality, highlighting improvements in animation, lighting, effects, matte paintings, lighting concepts, and assets. “When Filoni initiated the Maul show post-Covid, he challenged the team to push beyond their comfort zones,” she explained. “He encouraged us to create something that surpasses our previous work, focusing on body mechanics, facial animation, updated body rigs, and enhanced lighting. After watching an episode, Filoni praised our efforts, saying, ‘Wow, you guys, you are actually creating cinema.’ He's proud of what Lucasfilm Animation has achieved with this series.”
Portillo also noted that these advancements represent a significant upgrade from previous projects like 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 delve into the lives of Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane, offering three episodes for each character, totaling six. According to Portillo, Ventress' storyline will explore her resurrection by Mother Talzin, focusing on her journey with a young boy in the first short, which evolves into a tale of two Jedi on the run. “Ventress' three shorts will showcase her relationship with this boy, creating a compelling narrative,” she said.
Ventress' resurrection, previously hinted at in the Dark Disciple novel, is confirmed to be canon in Tales of the Underworld. Portillo highlighted the emotional impact of Ventress' connection with Quinlan Vos, saying, “The moment when Vos declares his love for her resonated deeply with fans. It's a powerful love story, similar to those of Obi-Wan and Satine, and Padme and Anakin. These narratives add depth to the Star Wars universe.”
Portillo also touched on Ventress' struggle with her past, explaining, “After enduring much, characters often reassess their paths. Some choose exile, while others embrace the dark side. Ventress' story will explore how meeting certain people can lead to personal growth and change.”
Both Tales of the Underworld and Maul: Shadow Lord promise to enrich the Star Wars universe. Tales of the Underworld is slated to premiere on Disney+ on May 4, 2025, while fans eagerly await further details on the release of Maul: Shadow Lord.
