Lucasfilm Animation VP Discusses New Series: 'An Upgrade in Our Approach'

Star Wars fans have plenty to look forward to, especially after the revelations at Star Wars Celebration Japan. Athena Portillo, Vice President of Animation at Lucasfilm, shared exciting details with IGN about two upcoming animated series: the newly announced Tales of the Underworld and Maul: Shadow Lord.

Portillo expressed her enthusiasm for collaborating with Sam Witwer, the voice behind Darth Maul, on Maul: Shadow Lord. "Sam was deeply involved in developing the character's depth and lore, working closely with our head writer and supervising director," she told IGN. "He's been instrumental in shaping Maul's character since its inception with Dave Filoni, and he provides valuable input on scripts, whip reels, and color pools."

This series marks a significant exploration into the enduring villain Darth Maul, whom Portillo humorously compared to iconic horror figures like Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees. "Darth Maul has been killed multiple times, yet he keeps returning. We're diving deep into his history in these stories," she explained.

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Portillo emphasized the significant enhancements in Lucasfilm Animation's production techniques, highlighting improvements in animation, lighting, effects, matte paintings, and assets. "When Filoni started the Maul show, post-Covid, he challenged the team to push beyond their comfort zones," she said. "He encouraged us to create something that surpasses our previous work, and we've seen upgrades in body mechanics, facial animation, lighting—everything. Filoni even remarked that we're creating cinema with this show."

Portillo added, "These upgrades extend beyond what we've done in The Bad Batch and Tales of the Underworld. We've just finished Tales of the Underworld and are still working on Maul, set to release in 2026."

Tales of the Underworld will focus on Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane, with each character receiving three episodes for a total of six. Ventress' storyline will explore her second chance given by Mother Talzin, leading to a tale of two Jedi on the run and a burgeoning relationship.

Ventress' resurrection, previously hinted at in the Dark Disciple novel, is confirmed to be part of the canon in Tales of the Underworld. "The connection between Quinlan Vos and Ventress was a fan favorite," Portillo noted. "It's a love story that resonates deeply, much like those of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Satine, or Padme and Anakin."

Ventress' journey also involves confronting her past, as she reevaluates her path. "Sometimes, people come into your life to help you become a better person," Portillo said, hinting at the significant impact of the character Ventress meets in the first short.

Both Tales of the Underworld and Maul: Shadow Lord promise to enrich the Star Wars universe in unique ways. 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.