Lucasfilm Animation VP Unveils Underworld Tales and Maul: Shadow Lord Enhancements

Star Wars Celebration Japan signals a thrilling future for animated Star Wars projects. Athena Portillo, Lucasfilm’s Vice President of Animation, shared insights with IGN about two highly anticipated series: the newly revealed Tales of the Underworld and Maul: Shadow Lord.

Portillo expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with Sam Witwer, the iconic voice of Darth Maul in Star Wars animation, on Maul: Shadow Lord. “Sam deeply shaped the character’s depth and lore alongside our head writer and supervising director,” she told IGN at Star Wars Celebration Japan. “He reviews scripts, watches whip reels, and provides input on color and more.”

This marks a fresh exploration of Maul’s enduring saga as a formidable villain. “I tease the Lucasfilm Animation team that Maul is like Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees—he keeps returning despite countless defeats,” Portillo said. “We’re diving into his history, bringing new depth to his story.”

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Portillo emphasized significant production advancements, noting improvements in “animation, lighting, effects, matte paintings, and asset design” that elevate Lucasfilm Animation’s work.

“When Dave Filoni launched the Maul series post-Covid, he challenged us to break from routine,” she shared. “He urged us to embrace discomfort for growth, pushing for an upgraded animation style—better body mechanics, facial expressions, updated rigs, and enhanced lighting.” She added, “Filoni recently watched an episode and said, ‘You’re creating cinema.’ He’s thrilled with what we’ve achieved.”

Portillo noted, “This series surpasses our previous work, including Bad Batch and Tales of the Underworld, which we just finished. Maul: Shadow Lord, set for release in 2026, is still in progress.”

Tales of the Underworld will feature Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane, with three episodes each, totaling six. Ventress’ arc focuses on her revival by Mother Talzin. “Her story begins with meeting a boy, forming a bond as two Jedi fugitives, unfolding a compelling relationship across three shorts,” Portillo explained.

Ventress’ storyline ties into the Dark Disciple novel, confirming her return as canon. “The Quinlan Vos and Ventress connection, especially his ‘I will always love you’ moment, stunned fans,” Portillo said. “Fans crave these love stories, like Obi-Wan and Satine or Anakin and Padmé, despite Jedi rules.”

She added, “Ventress is grappling with her past, rethinking her path. Some choose exile to escape their history, while others embrace darkness. Her story explores how a new character she meets helps her grow.”

Both series promise to expand the Star Wars universe in exciting ways. Tales of the Underworld premieres on Disney+ on May 4, 2025, while Maul: Shadow Lord’s release date is still pending.