If Star Wars Celebration Japan is anything to go by, fans are in for a major animated treat in the coming years. Athena Portillo, Vice President of Animation at Lucasfilm, sat down exclusively with IGN to shed light on two highly anticipated upcoming series: the newly announced Tales of the Underworld and Maul: Shadow Lord. These projects mark a bold new chapter in Star Wars storytelling, diving deeper into the shadows of the galaxy far, far away.
Portillo shared her enthusiasm about collaborating with Sam Witwer, the iconic voice behind Darth Maul across multiple Star Wars animated series, in the development of Maul: Shadow Lord. “Sam was deeply involved in shaping the character’s depth and lore, working closely with our head writer and supervising director,” she revealed during the interview at Star Wars Celebration Japan. “He’s been integral to Maul’s journey since the beginning—alongside Dave Filoni—and now he gets to read the scripts, review animatics, and provide feedback on everything from color palettes to animation reels. His insight is invaluable.”
While Darth Maul has made several returns throughout Star Wars canon, Maul: Shadow Lord promises to be the first series to fully explore his enduring legacy. “I always joke with the team that Maul is like Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees—no matter how many times he’s taken down, he keeps coming back,” Portillo said with a smile. “There’s that constant, looming threat. And now, we’re finally diving deep into his history, unraveling the layers of his past and his relentless return.”
The Evolution of Darth Maul: From Foe to Legend
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Portillo emphasized the significant advancements in animation quality and production techniques that set these new series apart from previous Lucasfilm Animation projects. “The animation, lighting, visual effects, matte paintings, concept art, and asset design have all been elevated,” she explained. “When Dave Filoni launched the Maul series post-pandemic, he challenged the team: ‘Break free from complacency. Embrace discomfort—it leads to greatness.’ He pushed us to innovate in every area, from body mechanics and facial animation to updated rigs and lighting systems.”
The results speak for themselves. “When Filoni saw one of the completed episodes recently, he said, ‘Wow, you’re creating cinema.’ That meant the world to us,” Portillo said proudly. “This is a clear evolution—not just from earlier series, but even from The Bad Batch and Tales of the Underworld, which we just wrapped. Maul: Shadow Lord is the next leap forward. We’re targeting a 2026 release, and we’re still deep in production.”
Tales of the Underworld, set to premiere on Disney+ on May 4, 2025, will feature six standalone episodes—three focusing on Asajj Ventress and three on Cad Bane—offering a nuanced look at their lives as villains. Portillo revealed that Ventress’ arc directly continues from the events of the Dark Disciple novel, confirming its place in official canon. “Ventress gets a second chance thanks to Mother Talzin,” she explained. “She crosses paths with a young boy in the first short, and what unfolds is a story of two Jedi on the run. Over the three episodes, you’ll see a powerful relationship develop.”
The mention of Dark Disciple naturally brings up the emotional bond between Ventress and Quinlan Vos. “That moment when Vos says, ‘I will always love you’—it shattered fans’ hearts in the best way,” Portillo said. “It’s a forbidden love, much like Obi-Wan and Satine, or Anakin and Padmé. These emotional threads resonate deeply, and fans have been waiting for more. This series delivers.”
She also touched on Ventress’ internal journey. “After everything she’s been through, she’s reevaluating her path. Some characters choose exile, stepping away from their past. Others embrace the dark side. Ventress’ story explores redemption, connection, and transformation. The character she meets becomes a catalyst for change—a balance to her turmoil.”
With groundbreaking animation, deeper character exploration, and stories that expand the boundaries of canon, both Tales of the Underworld and Maul: Shadow Lord are poised to redefine Star Wars animation. While Tales of the Underworld arrives May 4, 2025, fans will have to wait a bit longer for Maul: Shadow Lord—but judging by what’s coming, it will be worth every moment.
