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

If 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 insights in an exclusive IGN interview about two highly anticipated series: the newly announced Tales of the Underworld and Maul: Shadow Lord.

Portillo expressed her enthusiasm about collaborating with Sam Witwer, the iconic voice of Darth Maul, on Maul: Shadow Lord. "Sam was deeply involved in developing Maul's character depth and lore, working closely with our head writer and supervising director," she told IGN during Star Wars Celebration Japan. "He's been instrumental in shaping Maul's narrative, collaborating with Dave Filoni, who co-created the character. Sam reviews scripts, watches rough cuts, and provides valuable feedback."

Darth Maul, a character who has seemingly defied death multiple times, is set to take center stage in this new series. Portillo playfully compared him to horror icons like Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees, noting, "It's like you keep killing them, but they keep coming back. There's always that looming threat. In Star Wars, Darth Maul has died so many times, yet he persists. We're exploring his history in depth through these new stories."

How Darth Maul Went From Supporting Villain to Star Wars Icon

View 14 ImagesPortillo emphasized the significant advancements in Lucasfilm Animation's production techniques, highlighting improvements in animation, lighting, effects, matte paintings, and asset development. "When Filoni initiated the Maul project post-Covid, he challenged the team to step out of their comfort zones," she explained. "He urged us to create something exceptional, pushing the boundaries in animation style, body mechanics, facial animation, and lighting. After watching one of our episodes, Filoni praised our work, saying, 'Wow, you guys, you are actually creating cinema.' He's proud of what Lucasfilm Animation has accomplished with this series."

Portillo also confirmed that Maul: Shadow Lord represents a significant upgrade from previous projects like The Bad Batch and Tales of the Underworld. "We've just finished Tales of the Underworld, and we're set to release Maul: Shadow Lord in 2026, but we're still refining it," she added.

Tales of the Underworld will focus on Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane, each character featured in three episodes, totaling six. Ventress' storyline will delve into her resurrection by Mother Talzin and her subsequent journey. "Ventress meets a boy in the first short, leading to a tale of two Jedi on the run and a budding relationship," Portillo shared. "This series picks up where the Dark Disciple novel left off, exploring the emotional connection between Ventress and Quinlan Vos. Fans were moved by Vos' declaration of love, and we're excited to explore this further."

Portillo also touched on Ventress' introspection and her struggle with her past. "After enduring much, characters often reassess their paths. Some choose exile, while others turn to the dark side. Ventress' story will reflect how encounters with certain individuals can lead to personal growth," she noted.

Both Tales of the Underworld and Maul: Shadow Lord promise to enrich the Star Wars universe in exciting ways. Tales of the Underworld is slated to premiere on Disney+ on May 4, 2025, while fans eagerly await the release date for Maul: Shadow Lord.