Lucasfilm Animation VP Discusses Tales of the Underworld and Maul: Shadow Lord: 'An Upgrade'

If the buzz from Star Wars Celebration Japan is anything to go by, we’re in for a treat with upcoming animated Star Wars projects. Athena Portillo, Vice President of Animation at Lucasfilm, recently sat down with IGN for an exclusive interview to talk about two highly anticipated shows currently in development: the newly announced Tales of the Underworld and Maul: Shadow Lord.

Portillo expressed particular enthusiasm about collaborating with Sam Witwer, who has long voiced Darth Maul in Star Wars animated projects, on Maul: Shadow Lord. “Sam was heavily involved with character depth and lore alongside our head writer and supervising director,” she told IGN during the event. “He’s deeply invested in Maul’s development because he and Dave Filoni co-created the character together in animation. He reads the scripts, reviews rough cuts, and provides feedback throughout the process.”

This isn’t the first time Maul has appeared, but it marks the first time viewers will dive deep into his backstory. “It’s like Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees,” Portillo joked. “They keep coming back, and that’s part of the thrill in Star Wars. Even though Maul has ‘died’ multiple times, he always returns. We’re exploring his history and diving into his compelling narrative.”

The Evolution of Darth Maul: From Sidekick to Icon

View 14 ImagesPortillo highlighted several advancements in Lucasfilm Animation’s production, emphasizing improvements in animation quality, lighting, effects, matte paintings, and asset design. “When Filoni started Maul, post-Covid, he challenged us to push beyond our limits. He wanted us to create something better than what we’d done before,” she explained. “From body mechanics and facial expressions to lighting concepts, every aspect has been upgraded. Filoni himself praised the team last week, saying, ‘You’re creating cinema-quality work.’”

These efforts represent a significant leap forward compared to previous projects like The Bad Batch and Tales of the Underworld. While Tales of the Underworld concluded its run, Maul: Shadow Lord is set to premiere in 2026.

Tales of the Underworld focuses on Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane, delving into their journeys as villains. Each character will have three episodes, totaling six across the series. Portillo shared that Ventress’ arc revolves around Mother Talzin giving her a second chance, leading to a bond with a young boy. Their adventures form the crux of the story.

Ventress’ storyline also ties into the events of the Dark Disciple novel, addressing fan speculation about her death and resurrection. “The Quinlan Vos and Ventress romance was a fan favorite,” Portillo noted. “Their relationship adds emotional depth to the series, showing that even Jedi aren’t immune to love.”

She further elaborated on Ventress’ internal struggle upon meeting the boy. “After enduring hardships, some characters question their paths. Some retreat into exile, while others embrace the dark side,” she explained. “Ventress’ journey involves finding balance and growth through unexpected encounters.”

Both Tales of the Underworld and Maul: Shadow Lord promise to enrich the Star Wars universe. Tales of the Underworld debuts on Disney+ on May 4, 2025, while fans await a release date for Maul: Shadow Lord.