If Star Wars Celebration Japan is anything to go by, fans are in for a thrilling animated era in the galaxy far, far away. Athena Portillo, Vice President of Animation at Lucasfilm, sat down exclusively with IGN to shed light on two highly anticipated upcoming series: the newly announced Tales of the Underworld and Maul: Shadow Lord.
Portillo shared her enthusiasm about collaborating with Sam Witwer, the iconic voice behind Darth Maul across multiple Star Wars animated projects, in 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 revealed during the event. “He’s been integral to Maul’s journey since the beginning—alongside Dave Filoni—and now he gets to read the scripts, view whip reels, color palettes, and provide valuable feedback. His insight is invaluable.”
While Darth Maul has made several appearances throughout Star Wars animation, Maul: Shadow Lord marks the first time audiences will dive deep into his enduring legacy. “I always joke with the team that Maul is like Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees—no matter how many times he’s defeated, he keeps coming back,” Portillo said. “There’s always that looming threat. And now, we’re finally exploring his history in a way we haven’t before.”
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Portillo emphasized the significant advancements in production quality that set these new series apart from previous Lucasfilm Animation efforts. “We’ve elevated everything—the animation, lighting, visual effects, matte paintings, concept art, and asset design,” she explained. “When Dave Filoni launched the Maul series post-pandemic, he challenged the team: ‘Get out of your comfort zone. Discomfort leads to greatness.’ He pushed us to innovate in body mechanics, facial animation, rigging, and lighting.”
The results speak for themselves. “When Filoni recently watched an episode, he said, ‘Wow, you’re creating cinema.’ That meant everything,” Portillo said with pride. “This is a clear evolution—not just from earlier series, but even from The Bad Batch and Tales of the Underworld. We just wrapped Tales, and Maul: Shadow Lord is set for release in 2026, but we’re still deep in production.”
Tales of the Underworld, arriving on Disney+ on May 4, 2025, will feature six animated shorts—three focusing on Asajj Ventress and three on Cad Bane, each exploring their lives as galactic underworld figures. Ventress’s arc centers on her resurrection following the events of the Dark Disciple novel. “Mother Talzin gives her a second chance,” Portillo confirmed. “She meets a young boy in the first short, and what unfolds is a story of two Jedi on the run, forming an unexpected bond across the three episodes.”
This confirms long-standing fan speculation about the canonicity of Ventress’s return. “The Quinlan Vos and Ventress love story was a fan favorite,” Portillo added. “When he said, ‘I will always love you,’ it resonated deeply. Fans crave these emotional connections—even in a universe where Jedi are forbidden from attachment. From Obi-Wan and Satine to Anakin and Padmé, and now Quinlan and Ventress, these relationships add such rich layers.”
She also highlighted Ventress’s internal journey. “After enduring so much, characters often reevaluate their paths. Some choose isolation, others embrace the dark side,” Portillo explained. “Ventress is at that crossroads. The character she meets early on becomes a meaningful influence—someone who helps her grow.”
With groundbreaking animation, deeper character exploration, and stories that expand the Star Wars mythos, both Tales of the Underworld and Maul: Shadow Lord promise to be must-watch additions to the franchise. While fans can mark their calendars for May 4, 2025, for Tales of the Underworld, the release date for Maul: Shadow Lord remains under wraps—[ttpp] but anticipation is already at a galactic high.
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