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

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 insights with IGN about two highly anticipated series: the newly announced Tales of the Underworld and Maul: Shadow Lord.

Portillo expressed her excitement about collaborating with Sam Witwer, the iconic voice behind Darth Maul, on Maul: Shadow Lord. "Sam was deeply involved in crafting the character's depth and lore alongside our head writer and supervising director," she told IGN at Star Wars Celebration Japan. "He's integral to Maul's development, having co-created the character with Lucasfilm CCO Dave Filoni. Sam reviews scripts, watches work-in-progress reels, and provides valuable feedback."

While Darth Maul has been a familiar face in Star Wars lore, Maul: Shadow Lord promises a deep dive into his history. Portillo humorously likened Maul to horror icons like Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees, noting, "Like them, Maul keeps coming back. We're exploring his past and weaving it into new stories."

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Portillo emphasized the significant advancements in Lucasfilm Animation's production quality, highlighting improvements in "animation, lighting, effects, matte paintings, and asset creation."

Following the post-COVID return to work, Dave Filoni challenged the team to push beyond their comfort zones. "He encouraged us to strive for excellence, and we've upgraded our animation techniques, including body mechanics, facial animations, and lighting," Portillo explained. "When Filoni reviewed an episode recently, he remarked, 'Wow, you guys are creating cinema.' He's proud of what we've accomplished with this show."

Portillo confirmed that Maul: Shadow Lord represents a step up from previous projects like The Bad Batch and Tales of the Underworld, with the latter now complete and set to release in 2025. Maul: Shadow Lord is slated for a 2026 debut.

Tales of the Underworld will delve into the lives of Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane, with each character getting three episodes, totaling six. Ventress' arc will focus on her resurrection by Mother Talzin and her subsequent journey, including a poignant relationship story with a young Jedi on the run.

Portillo confirmed that Tales of the Underworld picks up from the storyline in the Dark Disciple novel, particularly the emotional connection between Ventress and Quinlan Vos. "Fans were moved by Vos' declaration of love, which adds a new layer to the Jedi's narrative," she said. "These love stories, like those of Obi-Wan and Satine or Anakin and Padme, resonate deeply with audiences."

Ventress' journey in the series also explores her struggle with her past, reflecting on her path and the influence of new relationships. "Sometimes, people enter your life to help you grow," Portillo noted, hinting at the transformative role of the character Ventress meets in the first short.

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