Lucasfilm Animation VP Discusses Tales of the Underworld and Maul: Shadow Lord: 'An Upgrade'

Star Wars enthusiasts have much to look forward to, as hinted at during the Star Wars Celebration Japan. Athena Portillo, Vice President of Animation at Lucasfilm, shared exciting details in an exclusive IGN interview about two upcoming animated series: the newly announced *Tales of the Underworld* and *Maul: Shadow Lord*.

Portillo expressed her enthusiasm for collaborating with Sam Witwer, the iconic voice behind Darth Maul, on *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 told IGN at the event. "Together with [Lucasfilm CCO Dave] Filoni, who co-created the animated version of Maul, Sam has been instrumental in reviewing scripts, watching whip reels, and providing feedback on every aspect of production, from color palettes to final edits."

This series marks a significant exploration into the enduring saga of Darth Maul, a character often likened to horror icons like Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees. "It's fascinating how Maul keeps returning, much like these horror villains," Portillo noted. "We're diving deep into his history, exploring new facets of his story that fans have yet to see."

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Portillo emphasized the significant enhancements in Lucasfilm Animation's production quality, particularly in animation, lighting, effects, matte paintings, and asset creation. "When Filoni initiated the *Maul* series post-Covid, he challenged the team to step out of their comfort zones," she explained. "He urged us to create something that surpasses our previous work, and we've achieved just that with updated body mechanics, facial animations, and a cinematic quality that Filoni himself praised as 'creating cinema'."

Portillo added that *Maul: Shadow Lord* represents a leap forward from their previous projects, including *The Bad Batch* and *Tales of the Underworld*, which they've recently completed. The new series is set to release in 2026, promising fans a visually stunning and narratively rich experience.

*Tales of the Underworld*, slated for release on Disney+ on May 4, 2025, will delve into the lives of Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane. This series will feature three episodes for each character, totaling six. Ventress' storyline will focus on her resurrection by Mother Talzin and her subsequent journey with a young boy, forming a compelling narrative about redemption and relationships.

Portillo confirmed that *Tales of the Underworld* picks up from the *Dark Disciple* novel, addressing fan speculation about Ventress' death and rebirth. "The connection between Ventress and Quinlan Vos, especially the emotional depth of their relationship, has resonated deeply with fans," she said. "It's a testament to the power of love stories within the Star Wars universe, akin to those of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Satine, or Padme and Anakin."

Ventress' journey in *Tales of the Underworld* will also explore her struggle with her past and her path forward. "Characters often reach a crossroads after significant events," Portillo remarked. "Ventress' encounter with a pivotal character in her first short will offer her a chance at redemption and growth."

Both *Tales of the Underworld* and *Maul: Shadow Lord* promise to expand the Star Wars universe in exciting new directions, and fans are eagerly anticipating their release. While *Tales of the Underworld* is set to debut in 2025, the wait continues for a specific release date for *Maul: Shadow Lord*.