Lucasfilm Animation VP Discusses Underworld Tales and Maul: Shadow Lord Upgrade

If the excitement at Star Wars Celebration Japan is any indication, fans of the franchise are in for a treat with upcoming animated projects. Athena Portillo, Vice President of Animation at Lucasfilm, provided an exclusive interview with IGN to shed light on two highly anticipated series: the newly announced *Tales of the Underworld* and *Maul: Shadow Lord*.

Portillo's enthusiasm was palpable as she discussed collaborating with Sam Witwer, the iconic 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 shared. "His collaboration with Lucasfilm CCO Dave Filoni, who co-created the animated version of Maul, has been invaluable. Sam reviews scripts, watches whip reels, and provides essential feedback on the character's portrayal."

This isn't the first time fans have seen Darth Maul, but *Maul: Shadow Lord* promises to explore the depths of this enduring villain. Portillo humorously likened Maul to horror icons like Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees, noting, "He's like those characters who keep coming back. In Star Wars, Maul has died multiple times, yet he persists. We're delving into his history and exploring his story in new ways."

How Darth Maul Went From Supporting Villain to Star Wars Icon

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Portillo emphasized the significant advancements in production quality that set Lucasfilm Animation's latest works apart. "From animation and lighting to effects and matte paintings, every aspect has been enhanced," she explained. "After Covid, when Filoni launched the Maul series, he challenged the team to step out of their comfort zones and strive for excellence. The result is a cinematic quality that Filoni himself praised, saying, 'You guys are actually creating cinema.'"

Portillo highlighted that *Maul: Shadow Lord* represents a step up from previous projects, including *The Bad Batch* and *Tales of the Underworld*. "We've just completed *Tales of the Underworld* and are still refining *Maul*, set for release in 2026," she added.

*Tales of the Underworld* will focus on Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane, exploring their journeys as villains across six episodes, three for each character. Ventress' storyline revolves around her resurrection by Mother Talzin and her subsequent encounters with a young boy, leading to a tale of two Jedi on the run and a budding relationship.

Portillo confirmed that *Tales of the Underworld* continues from the *Dark Disciple* novel, addressing Ventress' resurrection and her emotional connection with Quinlan Vos. "The fans were moved by Vos' declaration of love, which added a new layer to the Jedi's no-attachments rule," she noted. "Ventress' story also explores her struggle with her past and her path forward, influenced by the people she meets."

Both series promise to expand 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 a release date for *Maul: Shadow Lord*.