Lucasfilm VP on "Underworld Tales" and "Maul: Shadow Lord" Revamp

If the recent Star Wars Celebration Japan is any indication, fans are about to be treated to a wealth of new animated Star Wars content. Athena Portillo, Lucasfilm's Vice President of Animation, spoke exclusively with IGN about two highly anticipated upcoming series: the newly announced Tales of the Underworld and Maul: Shadow Lord.

Portillo expressed particular enthusiasm for collaborating with Sam Witwer, the long-time voice of Darth Maul in Star Wars animation, on Maul: Shadow Lord. "Sam was deeply involved in shaping the character's depth and the lore, working alongside our head writer and supervising director," she told IGN at Star Wars Celebration Japan. "He contributes to Maul's character development because he and [Lucasfilm CCO Dave] Filoni originally brought this version of the character to life in animation. He reviews scripts, watches early animatics and color passes, and offers his creative input."

While this isn't the first appearance of Maul, it is the first project to truly explore the backstory of this persistent antagonist. "I often joke with the Lucasfilm Animation team that he's like Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees. You think he's gone, but he always returns. That sense of enduring threat is part of the fun. It's Star Wars, after all. Darth Maul has been defeated numerous times, yet he consistently finds a way back. This series allows us to delve into his history and expand on those untold stories."

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Portillo emphasized the significant production improvements that distinguish this new work from Lucasfilm Animation's previous projects, specifically highlighting "the animation quality, lighting, visual effects, matte paintings, lighting concepts, and asset creation."

"When Filoni launched the Maul series post-pandemic, as everyone was readjusting to being back in the office, he challenged us by saying, 'You all need to break out of your complacency and step outside your comfort zones. Feeling uncomfortable is a positive sign—it pushes you toward greater achievements. We need to create something that represents a clear upgrade from our usual standard,'" she explained. "This applied to every aspect, from the animation style, including body mechanics and facial animation—we updated all our character rigs—to the lighting and everything else. When Filoni saw a recent episode, his reaction was, 'Wow, you are actually creating cinema.' He was genuinely proud of what Lucasfilm Animation has accomplished with this show."

Portillo added, "Every element is a step up from our previous work, including The Bad Batch and even the recently completed Tales of the Underworld. We're still refining Maul: Shadow Lord for its 2026 release."

Tales of the Underworld, focusing on the exploits of Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane, will feature three dedicated episodes per character, totaling six shorts. Ventress's storyline, according to Portillo, will revolve around "the second chance granted to her by Mother Talzin. In the first short, Ventress encounters a young boy, and the narrative follows two Jedi on the run, developing a compelling relationship arc across her three episodes."

Some fans believed Ventress had met her end, based on events in the Dark Disciple novel, leaving her canonical status uncertain. Portillo confirms that Tales of the Underworld directly continues from that storyline. "Absolutely. The dynamic between Quinlan Vos and Ventress is a highlight. When fans saw that scene where he says, 'I will always love you,' it was incredibly impactful," she revealed. "I believe audiences are eager for these kinds of stories, especially since Jedi are forbidden from forming attachments. We've seen it with Obi-Wan Kenobi and Satine, and of course Padmé and Anakin. Now we have Ventress and Quinlan Vos. I'm particularly drawn to these complex relationship narratives."

She also noted that Ventress is profoundly grappling with her past when we first meet her in the series. "After experiencing significant trauma, characters often reassess their life's direction. Some choose a form of exile, distancing themselves from their history, while others, as we've seen, fully embrace the dark side," Portillo said. "Her story is ultimately about redemption. Let's just say that certain people enter your life for a reason, to help you become a better person. The character she meets in the first short provides a positive counterbalance to her past."

Both series promise to be fascinating additions to the Star Wars saga, and we look forward to seeing how they expand the universe. Tales of the Underworld premieres on Disney+ on May 4, 2025, while a specific release date for Maul: Shadow Lord is still awaited.