Lucasfilm VP Discusses New Animation Projects: Tales of the Underworld and Maul: Shadow Lord

Star Wars fans have much to look forward to, as indicated by the excitement surrounding Star Wars Celebration Japan. Athena Portillo, Vice President of Animation at Lucasfilm, shared insights on two highly anticipated animated 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 in various Star Wars animated projects, on *Maul: Shadow Lord*. "Sam was deeply involved in developing the character's depth and lore alongside our head writer and supervising director," she shared at Star Wars Celebration Japan. "He and [Lucasfilm CCO Dave] Filoni co-created Maul in animation, and he provides invaluable input by reviewing scripts, watching whip reels, and contributing to the visual elements."

This series marks a significant exploration into the enduring story of Darth Maul, a character who, as Portillo humorously noted, "is like Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees. You keep killing them, but they keep coming back." This resilience aligns perfectly with the Star Wars theme, where Maul's repeated returns add to his mystique. "We are diving into Maul's history and exploring his journey in depth," she added.

How Darth Maul Went From Supporting Villain to Star Wars Icon

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Portillo emphasized the advancements in Lucasfilm Animation's production techniques, highlighting improvements in animation, lighting, effects, matte paintings, and assets. "When Filoni initiated the Maul project post-Covid, he encouraged the team to step out of their comfort zones," she explained. "He challenged us to create something beyond our usual standards, and we've seen significant upgrades in body mechanics, facial animation, and lighting. Filoni's reaction to one of our episodes was, 'Wow, you guys, you are actually creating cinema.' He was proud of what we've achieved with this show."

Portillo also mentioned that *Maul: Shadow Lord* represents a leap forward in quality compared to previous projects like *The Bad Batch* and *Tales of the Underworld*, which has just been completed. *Maul: Shadow Lord* is set to release in 2026, and the team continues to refine it.

*Tales of the Underworld* will focus on Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane, each receiving three episodes to explore their villainous journeys. Ventress's storyline will delve into her resurrection by Mother Talzin, leading to a narrative involving two Jedi on the run and a budding relationship. "Ventress's story will explore her connection with Quinlan Vos," Portillo revealed, acknowledging the fans' enthusiasm for their love story, which echoes other iconic Star Wars romances like Obi-Wan Kenobi and Satine, and Padme and Anakin.

Portillo confirmed that *Tales of the Underworld* continues the storyline from the *Dark Disciple* novel, addressing Ventress's death and rebirth. "Ventress's journey will involve rethinking her past and considering new paths," she said. "The character she meets in the first short will play a pivotal role in her development, offering a balance to her life."

Both series promise to enrich the Star Wars universe in unique ways. *Tales of the Underworld* is scheduled to premiere on Disney+ on May 4, 2025, while fans eagerly await further details on the release date for *Maul: Shadow Lord*.