If Star Wars Celebration Japan is any indication, fans are in for a treat with a wave of upcoming animated Star Wars content. Athena Portillo, Lucasfilm's Vice President of Animation, spoke exclusively with IGN about two highly anticipated series in development: the recently announced Tales of the Underworld and Maul: Shadow Lord.
Portillo expressed particular enthusiasm about collaborating with Sam Witwer, the longstanding voice of Darth Maul in Star Wars animation, on Maul: Shadow Lord. "Sam played a significant role in developing the character's depth and lore, working closely with our head writer and supervising director," she told IGN during the event. "Given that he and [Lucasfilm CCO Dave] Filoni originally created Maul for animation, his involvement is deep. He reviews scripts, checks whip reels, and evaluates color palettes, offering valuable feedback throughout the process."
While this isn't Maul's first appearance, it marks the first series to truly explore the origins of this enduring antagonist. "I often joke with the Lucasfilm Animation team that he's like Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees—no matter how many times he's defeated, he always returns. That persistent threat is part of the Star Wars magic. Maul has 'died' numerous times, yet he keeps coming back... This series will delve into his history, giving us a chance to unpack those stories."
From Supporting Villain to Star Wars Icon: The Rise of Darth Maul
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Portillo emphasized the significant production upgrades distinguishing this project from Lucasfilm Animation's previous work, citing major improvements in "animation, lighting, visual effects, matte paintings, lighting concepts, and asset quality."
"When Filoni launched the Maul series post-Covid, as the team was settling back into work, he challenged everyone to push beyond their comfort zones. He reminded us that growth happens outside our comfort zones, urging us to create something that elevates our usual standards," she explained. "We overhauled our animation style, including body mechanics and facial animation, and updated all our body rigs, lighting, and more. Last week, after Filoni saw an episode, his reaction was, 'Wow, you're creating cinema.' He was genuinely proud of what the animation team accomplished."
She added, "This represents a step up from everything we've done before, including The Bad Batch and even the recently completed Tales of the Underworld. We're targeting a 2026 release for Maul and are still actively working on it."
Tales of the Underworld will follow Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane as they navigate their lives as villains, with three episodes dedicated to each character, totaling six shorts. Ventress's arc will explore "the second chance given to her by Mother Talzin," Portillo noted. "In the first short, Ventress encounters a young boy, leading to a story about two Jedi on the run. A compelling relationship develops across her three episodes."
Some fans believed Ventress died and was resurrected based on events in the Dark Disciple novel, leaving her canonical status uncertain. Portillo confirmed that Tales of the Underworld continues directly from that storyline. "Absolutely. The dynamic between Quinlan Vos and Ventress is a highlight. When he told her, 'I will always love you,' it resonated deeply with fans," she shared. "Audiences crave these forbidden connections. We've seen it with Obi-Wan and Satine, Anakin and Padmé, and now Ventress and Quinlan. These love stories defy Jedi norms and are always compelling."
Portillo also hinted that Ventress is grappling profoundly with her past, especially in her initial state within the series. "Characters often reassess their path after major trials. Some choose exile, distancing themselves from their history, while others embrace the dark side," she said. "Her journey is about redemption. Sometimes, the right person enters your life at the right time, and the character she meets provides a balancing influence."
Both series promise to deliver captivating new chapters to the Star Wars saga. Tales of the Underworld premieres on Disney+ on May 4, 2025, while a specific release date for Maul: Shadow Lord is still awaited.
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