Judging by Star Wars Celebration Japan announcements, fans can expect a wealth of new animated Star Wars content. Athena Portillo, Lucasfilm's Vice President of Animation, spoke exclusively with IGN about two highly anticipated series: the newly announced Tales of the Underworld and Maul: Shadow Lord.
The Creative Process Behind Maul: Shadow Lord
Portillo expressed particular excitement about collaborating with Sam Witwer, the veteran voice actor behind Darth Maul. "Sam contributed significantly to character development and lore alongside our head writer and supervising director," she revealed during Star Wars Celebration Japan. "Having co-created the animated version of Maul with Dave Filoni, Sam reviews scripts, watches rough cuts, and provides valuable feedback throughout production."
Exploring the Enduring Legacy of a Fan-Favorite Villain
While Maul has appeared in numerous Star Wars projects, this marks the first deep dive into his complete storyline. Portillo humorously compared him to horror icons: "Much like Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees, Maul keeps coming back no matter how many times he's defeated. We're finally exploring his complete history in these new stories."
The Evolution of Darth Maul in Star Wars Lore
Portillo emphasized significant technical advancements in Lucasfilm's animation process: "Post-Covid, Filoni challenged us to push beyond our comfort zones. We upgraded everything - animation techniques, body rigs, lighting systems, visual effects. When he reviewed an episode recently, his reaction was, 'You're creating cinema.'"
She added, "This represents a noticeable improvement over even our recent work on The Bad Batch and Tales of the Underworld. While Maul: Shadow Lord won't premiere until 2026, we're continuing to refine every aspect."
Diving Into Tales of the Underworld
The anthology series will feature six episodes - three each focusing on Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane. Portillo explained Ventress's arc: "After Mother Talzin revives her, Ventress forms an unexpected bond with a young Jedi as they flee together across three interconnected stories."
Clarifying fan speculation, Portillo confirmed the series directly continues events from the Dark Disciple novel, particularly Ventress's relationship with Quinlan Vos. "That emotional connection really resonated with fans," she noted. "Jedi attachments remain a compelling theme throughout Star Wars storytelling."
Regarding Ventress's character development, Portillo explained, "Many former warriors reach crossroads where they must choose their path. Some embrace exile, others turn toward darkness. For Ventress, this new companion becomes a catalyst for personal growth."
Both series promise to expand the Star Wars universe in exciting ways. Tales of the Underworld premieres on Disney+ May 4, 2025, with Maul: Shadow Lord's release date still to be announced.
