Lucasfilm Animation VP Discusses 'Tales of the Underworld' and 'Maul: Shadow Lord': A New Level of Animation

If the buzz surrounding Star Wars Celebration Japan is anything to go by, we’re in for a treat when it comes to animated Star Wars projects. Athena Portillo, Lucasfilm’s Vice President of Animation, recently sat down with IGN for an exclusive interview to talk about two highly anticipated shows currently in development: the newly announced Tales of the Underworld and Maul: Shadow Lord.

Portillo expressed her excitement about collaborating with Sam Witwer, the iconic voice behind Darth Maul in various Star Wars animated series, on Maul: Shadow Lord. “Sam was heavily involved in shaping the character depth and lore alongside our head writer and supervising director,” she told IGN during Star Wars Celebration Japan. “He contributes significantly to Maul’s character development, as he co-created the character with Lucasfilm CCO Dave Filoni in the animated universe. He reads the scripts, reviews rough cuts, and provides valuable feedback.”

This isn’t the first time Maul has graced our screens, but it marks the first time audiences will delve deep into his storied past. “It’s like Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees—no matter how many times you kill them, they always find a way back,” Portillo joked. “Darth Maul has met his end numerous times, yet he keeps returning. In this series, we’re diving into his origins and exploring untold stories.”

The Evolution of Darth Maul: From Supporting Role to Iconic Villain

View 14 ImagesPortillo highlighted several advancements in Lucasfilm Animation’s production techniques, emphasizing improvements in animation, lighting, effects, matte paintings, and asset creation. “When Filoni launched Maul, post-Covid, he encouraged us to push boundaries. He urged everyone to step out of their comfort zones and strive for excellence,” she explained. “The results speak for themselves. Body mechanics, facial expressions, lighting—it’s all an upgrade. Filoni himself praised the team recently, saying, ‘You’re creating cinematic-quality content.’”

She added, “This series surpasses everything we’ve done before, including The Bad Batch and Tales of the Underworld. We’re still refining Maul, set to premiere in 2026.”

Tales of the Underworld focuses on Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane as they navigate their lives as villains. Each character will star in three episodes, totaling six episodes. Ventress’ arc revolves around Mother Talzin offering her a second chance, leading to a dynamic relationship between Ventress and a young boy featured in the first episode. Portillo confirmed that this storyline picks up directly from the events of the Dark Disciple novel, addressing fan speculation about Ventress’ fate.

“Quinlan Vos and Ventress’ romance was a fan favorite,” Portillo remarked. “Their connection highlights the forbidden nature of love within the Jedi Order, echoing themes from Obi-Wan Kenobi and Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones.”

Ventress’ journey explores self-discovery and redemption as she reflects on her past actions. “After enduring hardships, characters often reassess their paths,” Portillo noted. “Some retreat into isolation, while others embrace darker tendencies. Ventress’ story balances personal growth and meaningful relationships.”

Both series promise to enrich the Star Wars universe in compelling ways. While Tales of the Underworld debuts on Disney+ on May 4, 2025, fans eagerly await a release date for Maul: Shadow Lord.