If 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 exciting details about two eagerly anticipated series during an exclusive interview with IGN: the newly announced *Tales of the Underworld* and *Maul: Shadow Lord*.

Portillo expressed enthusiasm about 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 alongside our head writer and supervising director," she told IGN at Star Wars Celebration Japan. "He and Dave Filoni co-created Maul in animation, so he's integral to the process, from reading scripts to providing input on the animation and color choices."

This series promises a deep dive into the story of Darth Maul, a character often likened to horror icons like Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees. "Maul has died and returned multiple times, embodying that persistent threat that's quintessential to Star Wars," Portillo remarked. "We're exploring his history and jumping into new stories with him."

How Darth Maul Went From Supporting Villain to Star Wars Icon

View 14 Images

Portillo highlighted the significant improvements in Lucasfilm Animation's production process, emphasizing advancements in "animation, lighting, effects, matte paintings, lighting concepts, and assets." She recounted how Dave Filoni, after the post-COVID return to work, challenged the team to push beyond their comfort zones. "Filoni encouraged us to create something that surpasses our previous work," she said. "We've updated body mechanics, facial animations, and lighting, leading him to comment, 'Wow, you guys, you are actually creating cinema.'"

Portillo noted that *Maul: Shadow Lord* represents a step up from previous projects like *The Bad Batch* and *Tales of the Underworld*. "We've just completed *Tales of the Underworld* and are set to release *Maul: Shadow Lord* in 2026, but we're still refining it."

*Tales of the Underworld* will explore the lives of Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane, each with three dedicated episodes. Ventress's storyline will delve into her resurrection by Mother Talzin and her subsequent journey with a young boy, creating a narrative of two Jedi on the run. "Ventress's story will touch on her connection with Quinlan Vos, a fan-favorite moment from *Dark Disciple*," Portillo confirmed. "Fans were moved by Vos's declaration of love, adding a compelling layer to the Jedi's often forbidden love stories."

Ventress's arc will also explore her struggle with her past, choosing a path of introspection and potential redemption. "After enduring much, some characters reevaluate their direction," Portillo explained. "Ventress's encounter with a new character in the first short offers her a chance for personal growth."

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