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 insights with IGN about two highly anticipated series: the newly announced Tales of the Underworld and Maul: Shadow Lord.
Portillo expressed enthusiasm about 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 integral to Maul's character since its inception in animation with Dave Filoni, providing input on scripts, watching rough cuts, and contributing to the overall vision."
This series marks a significant exploration into the enduring story of Darth Maul, a character who, as Portillo humorously noted, "is like Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees. You keep killing them, but they keep coming back." She emphasized the team's commitment to diving deep into Maul's history, promising a rich narrative experience.
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, including 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 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 actually creating cinema.' He was immensely proud of what we've achieved."
Portillo also noted that Maul: Shadow Lord represents a step up 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 explore the journeys of Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane, each with three episodes, totaling six. Ventress' storyline will delve into her resurrection by Mother Talzin and her subsequent adventures with a young boy, forming a narrative about two Jedi on the run and their evolving relationship.
Portillo confirmed that *Tales of the Underworld* continues the storyline from the *Dark Disciple* novel, focusing on Ventress' connection with Quinlan Vos. "The fans were captivated by the moment Vos declared his love for Ventress," she said. "It's a powerful narrative, echoing other iconic Star Wars love stories like Obi-Wan and Satine, and Padme and Anakin."Ventress' journey in the series also explores her grappling with her past, contemplating her path forward. "Sometimes, after enduring much, individuals reassess their direction," Portillo explained. "Ventress' story will show how meeting certain people can lead to personal growth and change."
Both Tales of the Underworld and Maul: Shadow Lord promise to enrich the Star Wars universe. 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.
