Lucasfilm Animation VP Discusses New Projects: 'An Upgrade in Our Work'

Star Wars fans are in for a treat with the upcoming animated projects announced at Star Wars Celebration Japan. Athena Portillo, Vice President of Animation at Lucasfilm, shared exciting details about two highly anticipated series during an exclusive interview with IGN: *Tales of the Underworld* and *Maul: Shadow Lord*.

Portillo expressed her enthusiasm for working with Sam Witwer, the voice behind Darth Maul, on *Maul: Shadow Lord*. "Sam was deeply involved in developing the character's depth and lore, collaborating closely with our head writer and supervising director," she told IGN at Star Wars Celebration Japan. "He and [Lucasfilm CCO Dave] Filoni co-created Maul in animation, and Sam's input on scripts, whip reels, and even color choices has been invaluable."

This series marks a significant exploration into the backstory of Darth Maul, a character who has repeatedly returned from apparent death. "It's like Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees," Portillo humorously remarked. "In Star Wars, Maul has died multiple times, yet he keeps coming back. We're diving deep into his history and exploring new facets of his story."

How Darth Maul Went From Supporting Villain to Star Wars Icon

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Portillo highlighted the advancements in Lucasfilm Animation's production techniques, emphasizing improvements in animation, lighting, effects, matte paintings, and asset creation. "When Filoni launched the Maul show post-Covid, he challenged our team to push beyond our comfort zones," she explained. "He emphasized the importance of being uncomfortable to achieve greatness. We've upgraded our animation style, body mechanics, facial animations, and lighting, resulting in what Filoni described as 'cinema' after watching one of our episodes."

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

*Tales of the Underworld* will delve into the lives of Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane, featuring three episodes for each character, totaling six. Ventress' storyline will focus on her resurrection by Mother Talzin and her subsequent journey, including her encounters with a young boy and two Jedi on the run, forming a compelling relationship narrative across the three shorts.

Ventress' storyline continues from the *Dark Disciple* novel, confirming her resurrection as canon. "The connection between Ventress and Quinlan Vos, especially when he declares his love, was a fan favorite," Portillo noted. "These love stories, like Obi-Wan and Satine or Padme and Anakin, resonate deeply with fans, even though Jedi are typically forbidden from such attachments."

Ventress' journey also explores her struggle with her past and her path forward. "After enduring much, characters often reassess their life choices," Portillo explained. "Some seek exile from their past, while others embrace the dark side. Ventress' story will show how meeting the right people can lead to personal growth and balance."

Both *Tales of the Underworld* and *Maul: Shadow Lord* promise to enrich the Star Wars universe significantly. *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*.