If the excitement at 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 exclusive insights with IGN about two eagerly anticipated series: the newly announced *Tales of the Underworld* and *Maul: Shadow Lord*.
Portillo expressed her enthusiasm for collaborating with Sam Witwer, the iconic voice of Darth Maul, on the development of *Maul: Shadow Lord*. "Sam has been deeply involved in crafting the character's depth and lore, working closely with our head writer and supervising director," she told IGN at Star Wars Celebration Japan. "Given his role in creating the character alongside Dave Filoni, Sam gets to review scripts, watch whip reels, and even see the color palette. His input is invaluable."
This series promises a deeper exploration of Darth Maul, a character who has become synonymous with resilience in the Star Wars universe. Portillo humorously compared Maul to horror icons like Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees, noting, "He's like those characters you keep killing, but they keep coming back. In Star Wars, Darth Maul has died multiple times, yet he persists. We're diving into his history, exploring new facets of his story."
How Darth Maul Went From Supporting Villain to Star Wars Icon
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Portillo highlighted the significant advancements in Lucasfilm Animation's production techniques, emphasizing improvements in "animation, lighting, effects, matte paintings, lighting concepts, and assets." She explained, "When Filoni initiated the Maul show post-Covid, he challenged our team to break from complacency and push boundaries. He encouraged us to create something that surpasses our usual standards, from body mechanics and facial animation to updated body rigs and enhanced lighting. After watching one of our episodes, Filoni praised our work, saying, 'Wow, you guys are actually creating cinema.' We're proud of what we've achieved with this series."
Portillo added, "This project represents a significant upgrade from our previous works, including *The Bad Batch* and *Tales of the Underworld*. We've just completed *Tales of the Underworld*, and *Maul: Shadow Lord* is slated for release in 2026, though we're still refining it."
*Tales of the Underworld* will delve into the lives of Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane, each receiving three episodes to explore their journeys as villains. Ventress's storyline will focus on her resurrection by Mother Talzin and her encounter with a young boy, leading to a narrative about two Jedi on the run and a developing relationship.
Portillo confirmed that *Tales of the Underworld* continues the storyline from the *Dark Disciple* novel, where Ventress's fate was left ambiguous. "The connection between Quinlan Vos and Ventress, especially when Vos declared his love, captivated fans," she noted. "These love stories, like those of Obi-Wan and Satine or Padmé and Anakin, resonate deeply, even though Jedi are typically forbidden from such attachments. Ventress's journey also explores her struggle with her past, and how meeting certain characters can lead to personal growth."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 a release date for *Maul: Shadow Lord*.
