If Star Wars Celebration Japan is any indication, fans are in for a treat with the upcoming animated Star Wars projects. Athena Portillo, Vice President of Animation at Lucasfilm, shared exciting details about two highly 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 of Darth Maul, on *Maul: Shadow Lord*. "Sam was deeply involved in developing the character's depth and lore, working closely with our head writer and supervising director," she told IGN at Star Wars Celebration Japan. "He's instrumental in shaping Maul's character, having co-created him with Lucasfilm CCO Dave Filoni for animation. Sam reviews scripts, watches whip reels, and provides valuable input on the project."

While Darth Maul is no stranger to Star Wars fans, *Maul: Shadow Lord* promises to explore the villain's history in unprecedented depth. "It's like Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees; you keep killing them, but they keep coming back," Portillo humorously remarked. "Darth Maul has died multiple times, yet he always returns. We're diving deep into his backstory with this series."

How Darth Maul Went From Supporting Villain to Star Wars Icon

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Portillo highlighted the significant advancements in Lucasfilm Animation's production techniques, emphasizing improvements in animation, lighting, effects, matte paintings, and asset creation. "When Filoni initiated the Maul project post-Covid, he encouraged our team to step out of their comfort zones," she explained. "He wanted us to create something exceptional, upgrading our animation style, body mechanics, facial animations, and lighting. After watching one of our episodes, Filoni remarked, 'Wow, you guys are actually creating cinema.' He was proud of what we've achieved."

Portillo also noted that *Maul: Shadow Lord* represents a step up from previous works like *The Bad Batch* and *Tales of the Underworld*. "It's an upgrade from everything we've done so far. We've just finished *Tales of the Underworld* and are set to release *Maul* in 2026, but we're still refining it."

*Tales of the Underworld* will explore the journeys of Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane across six episodes, three dedicated to each character. Ventress's storyline will focus on her resurrection, thanks to Mother Talzin, and her subsequent encounters, particularly with a young boy in the first short, leading to a tale of two Jedi on the run and a developing relationship.

Ventress's narrative picks up from the *Dark Disciple* novel, confirming her resurrection as canon. Portillo highlighted the emotional connection between Ventress and Quinlan Vos, which resonated deeply with fans. "The moment Vos declares his love for Ventress was a powerful scene," she said. "Fans crave these love stories, especially given the Jedi's supposed detachment from such emotions. It's reminiscent of other iconic Star Wars romances like Obi-Wan and Satine, or Padme and Anakin."

Ventress's journey also involves grappling with her past, a theme Portillo elaborated on. "After enduring much, characters often reevaluate their paths," she noted. "Some choose exile, while others embrace the dark side. Ventress's story will show how certain individuals can positively influence her life, offering a balance she's seeking."

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