If the recent Star Wars Celebration Japan is any indication, fans are about to be treated to a wealth of new animated Star Wars content very soon. Athena Portillo, Lucasfilm's Vice President of Animation, shared exclusive insights with IGN about two of the studio's most anticipated upcoming series: the newly announced Tales of the Underworld and Maul: Shadow Lord.

Portillo expressed particular enthusiasm about collaborating with Sam Witwer, the longtime voice of Darth Maul in Star Wars animation, on the development of Maul: Shadow Lord. "Sam was deeply involved in shaping the character's depth and lore, working closely with our head writer and supervising director," she told IGN at the event. "Given that he and [Lucasfilm CCO Dave] Filoni originally crafted this animated version of Maul together, his involvement is comprehensive. He reviews scripts, checks whip reels, and provides feedback on color grades—his input is invaluable."

While this isn't Maul's first appearance, it marks the first time the series will thoroughly explore the backstory of this enduring antagonist. "I often joke with our animation team that Maul is like Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees—no matter how many times he's defeated, he always returns. That persistent threat is part of what makes Star Wars so compelling," Portillo noted. "Darth Maul has 'died' on multiple occasions, yet he continually resurfaces. This series allows us to delve into his history and unravel the stories behind his resilience."

The Evolution of Darth Maul: From Side Villain to Star Wars Icon

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Portillo emphasized the significant technical and artistic improvements in the studio's current production pipeline, specifically highlighting advancements in "animation quality, lighting, visual effects, matte paintings, lighting concepts, and asset creation."

"When Filoni launched the Maul project post-pandemic, as the team was settling back into work rhythms, he challenged everyone to break out of their comfort zones," she explained. "He believes that creative discomfort fuels innovation and leads to exceptional outcomes. So, we were tasked with elevating every aspect of our work—from refining animation techniques like body mechanics and facial expressions, to updating all our character rigs, and completely overhauling the lighting. After screening an episode recently, Filoni remarked, 'This is cinema.' He was genuinely proud of what Lucasfilm Animation has accomplished with this series."

She added, "Every component represents an upgrade from our previous projects, including The Bad Batch and even the newly completed Tales of the Underworld. While we're targeting a 2026 release for Maul, the team continues to refine and polish the production."

Tales of the Underworld will follow the exploits of Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane, with three dedicated episodes for each character, resulting in a six-part series. According to Portillo, Ventress's storyline will explore "the second chance granted to her by Mother Talzin. In the first short, Ventress encounters a young boy, setting off a narrative about two Jedi fugitives. Over the three episodes, we'll see a compelling relationship story unfold between them."

Interestingly, some fans believed Ventress had met her definitive end based on events in the Dark Disciple novel, leaving her canonical status uncertain. Portillo confirms that Tales of the Underworld directly continues from that narrative. "Absolutely. The dynamic between Quinlan Vos and Ventress is a highlight. When he told her, 'I will always love you,' it resonated deeply with the audience," she revealed. "Fans are drawn to these forbidden romances, especially when they challenge the Jedi Code. We've seen it with Obi-Wan and Satine, Anakin and Padmé, and now with Ventress and Quinlan. These emotional arcs are always compelling."

Portillo also indicated that Ventress is grappling profoundly with her past when we first meet her in the series. "After enduring so much, characters often reassess their life's direction. Some choose isolation, distancing themselves from their former lives, while others surrender to the dark side, as we've witnessed before," she said. "Her journey is one of redemption. The character she meets in the initial short serves as a balancing influence, showing how certain people enter our lives to help us become better versions of ourselves."

Both series promise to deliver captivating new chapters to the Star Wars saga, and audiences are eager to see how they will expand the universe. Tales of the Underworld premieres on Disney+ on May 4, 2025, though an official release date for Maul: Shadow Lord is still awaited.