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

The excitement surrounding Star Wars animated projects is palpable following the recent Star Wars Celebration Japan, where Lucasfilm's Vice President of Animation, Athena Portillo, shared insights into two highly anticipated series: Tales of the Underworld and Maul: Shadow Lord. In an exclusive interview with IGN, Portillo expressed her enthusiasm for collaborating with Sam Witwer, the iconic voice behind Darth Maul, on the development of Maul: Shadow Lord. "Sam was deeply involved in enhancing the character depth and lore alongside our head writer and supervising director," she told IGN. "His partnership with [Lucasfilm CCO Dave] Filoni, who co-created the character in animation, allows him to provide valuable input on scripts, whip reels, and even color choices."

Darth Maul, a character who has been killed and resurrected multiple times, much like horror icons Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees, is now set to receive a comprehensive exploration of his history in Maul: Shadow Lord. "We're diving into Maul’s past, exploring his journey in depth," Portillo explained. This series promises to shed new light on the enigmatic villain, showcasing his enduring presence in the Star Wars universe.

How Darth Maul Went From Supporting Villain to Star Wars Icon

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Portillo highlighted significant advancements in Lucasfilm Animation's production techniques, including enhanced animation, lighting, effects, matte paintings, and asset creation. "When Filoni initiated the Maul series post-Covid, he challenged the team to step out of their comfort zones," she said. "He encouraged us to create something exceptional, pushing the boundaries in animation style, body mechanics, facial animation, and lighting. After watching an episode, Filoni remarked, 'Wow, you guys are creating cinema.'"

Portillo emphasized that Maul: Shadow Lord represents an upgrade from previous projects like The Bad Batch and Tales of the Underworld, with its release planned for 2026. Meanwhile, Tales of the Underworld will explore the lives of Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane across six episodes, three for each character. Ventress' storyline will delve into her resurrection by Mother Talzin and her subsequent journey with a young boy, forming a narrative of two Jedi on the run and a blossoming relationship.

Portillo confirmed that Tales of the Underworld continues the storyline from the Dark Disciple novel, focusing on Ventress' connection with Quinlan Vos. "The emotional depth of their relationship, highlighted by Vos's declaration of love, resonated deeply with fans," she said. "This series will explore Ventress' struggle with her past and her path forward, influenced by the characters she encounters."

Both Tales of the Underworld and Maul: Shadow Lord promise to enrich the Star Wars universe with their compelling narratives and advanced animation. 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.