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

Star Wars fans have much to look forward to in the realm of animated projects, as hinted during Star Wars Celebration Japan. Athena Portillo, Vice President of Animation at Lucasfilm, shared insights on two eagerly anticipated series in an exclusive interview with IGN: the newly announced Tales of the Underworld and Maul: Shadow Lord.

Portillo's enthusiasm was palpable when discussing her collaboration with Sam Witwer, the iconic voice behind Darth Maul, on Maul: Shadow Lord. "Sam was deeply involved in crafting Maul's character depth and lore, working closely with our head writer and supervising director," she told IGN. "Together with Lucasfilm CCO Dave Filoni, they've shaped Maul's narrative. Sam reviews scripts, watches preliminary animations, and provides valuable feedback on every aspect from color to character development."

This new series promises to explore the enduring saga of Darth Maul, a character who, much like horror icons Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees, seems to defy death repeatedly. "Darth Maul has 'died' multiple times, yet he keeps returning," Portillo remarked. "We're diving deep into his history, exploring stories that have yet to be told."

How Darth Maul Went From Supporting Villain to Star Wars Icon

View 14 Images

Portillo emphasized the significant advancements in Lucasfilm Animation's production techniques, highlighting improvements in animation, lighting, effects, matte paintings, and asset creation. "When Filoni initiated the Maul project post-Covid, he challenged the team to step out of their comfort zones," she explained. "He encouraged us to create something that surpasses our previous work, from body mechanics and facial animations to updated body rigs and enhanced lighting. After watching an episode, Filoni remarked, 'Wow, you guys are creating cinema.' He was immensely proud of what we've achieved with this series."

Portillo also noted that Maul: Shadow Lord represents a significant upgrade from previous projects like The Bad Batch and Tales of the Underworld, with the latter having just been completed. Maul: Shadow Lord is slated for release in 2026, while the team continues to refine it.

Tales of the Underworld will delve into the lives of Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane, each character receiving three episodes for a total of six. Ventress' storyline will focus on her resurrection by Mother Talzin and her subsequent journey with a young boy, forming a narrative about two Jedi on the run and their evolving relationship.

Ventress' resurrection, previously hinted at in the Dark Disciple novel, is confirmed to be canon in Tales of the Underworld. Portillo highlighted the emotional connection between Ventress and Quinlan Vos, a storyline that resonated deeply with fans. "The love story between Quinlan Vos and Ventress, especially when he professed his love, was a powerful moment," she said. "It's a narrative that fans crave, echoing other iconic Star Wars romances like Obi-Wan and Satine, and Padme and Anakin."

Ventress' journey also explores her struggle with her past, contemplating her path forward. "After enduring much, characters often reassess their direction," Portillo explained. "Some choose exile, distancing themselves from their history, while others embrace the dark side. Ventress' story will show how certain individuals can enter your life to guide you toward becoming a better person."

Both Tales of the Underworld and Maul: Shadow Lord promise to enrich the Star Wars universe with compelling narratives and advanced animation. Tales of the Underworld is set to premiere on Disney+ on May 4, 2025, while fans eagerly await further details on the release of Maul: Shadow Lord.