Lucasfilm Animation VP Discusses Underworld Tales and Maul: Shadow Lord Upgrade

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 about two highly anticipated 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 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 told IGN at Star Wars Celebration Japan. "He's been integral to Maul's character since he and [Lucasfilm CCO Dave] Filoni co-created him in animation. Sam reviews scripts, watches whip reels, and provides input on the visual elements."

This isn't the first time we've seen Maul, but *Maul: Shadow Lord* offers a deeper exploration of this iconic villain's story. Portillo humorously compared Maul to horror icons like Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees, noting, "Like you keep killing them, but they keep coming back. There is that constant threat, right? In Star Wars, Darth Maul has seemingly died multiple times, yet he always returns. We're diving into Maul’s history in this series."

How Darth Maul Went From Supporting Villain to Star Wars Icon

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Portillo highlighted significant advancements in Lucasfilm Animation's production techniques, including "the animation, lighting, effects, matte paintings, lighting concepts, and assets." She shared how Dave Filoni motivated the team to push beyond their comfort zones post-Covid. "Filoni encouraged us to create something that surpasses our previous work," she explained. "We've updated our body rigs, improved body mechanics and facial animations, and enhanced all aspects of lighting. When Filoni reviewed one of our episodes recently, he remarked, 'Wow, you guys are actually creating cinema.' He's proud of what Lucasfilm Animation has achieved with this series."

Portillo added, "Everything is an upgrade from what we've done before, including *The Bad Batch* and *Tales of the Underworld*. We've just completed *Tales of the Underworld* and are still working on *Maul: Shadow Lord*, set to release in 2026."

*Tales of the Underworld* will focus on Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane, exploring their journeys as villains across six episodes—three for each character. Ventress' storyline will delve into her resurrection, as facilitated by Mother Talzin. "Ventress meets a boy in the first short, leading to a tale of two Jedi on the run and a developing relationship across the three shorts," Portillo explained.

Ventress' resurrection and subsequent journey were inspired by the *Dark Disciple* novel, confirming its canon status. Portillo shared her excitement about the connection between Ventress and Quinlan Vos, saying, "When fans saw Vos declare his love for Ventress, it was a powerful moment. Jedi aren't supposed to form attachments, but these love stories resonate deeply, similar to Obi-Wan Kenobi and Satine, or Padme and Anakin."

Portillo also discussed Ventress' internal struggle with her past. "After facing significant challenges, some characters reconsider their paths. Some choose exile, while others turn to the dark side. In Ventress' story, meeting a certain character helps her find balance and reconsider her future," she noted.

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