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

If the excitement at 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 exclusive insights with IGN on two highly anticipated series: the newly announced *Tales of the Underworld* and *Maul: Shadow Lord*.

Portillo expressed her enthusiasm about collaborating with Sam Witwer, the iconic voice behind Darth Maul, in developing *Maul: Shadow Lord*. "Sam was deeply involved with the character's depth and lore, alongside our head writer and supervising director," she told IGN. "He and [Lucasfilm CCO Dave] Filoni co-created Maul in animation, giving him a unique perspective. Sam reviews scripts, watches whip reels, and even sees the pool color, offering valuable input throughout the process."

This isn't the first time we've encountered Maul, but *Maul: Shadow Lord* promises to explore the enduring villain's story in depth. Portillo humorously compared Maul to horror icons like Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees, noting, "Like them, you keep killing him, but he keeps coming back. There's that constant threat, which is quintessential Star Wars. Maul has 'died' multiple times, yet he always returns. We're diving deep into his history with this series."

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Portillo highlighted the significant advancements in Lucasfilm Animation's production quality, emphasizing improvements in "animation, lighting, effects, matte paintings, lighting concepts, and assets." She recounted how Dave Filoni encouraged the team to push beyond their comfort zones post-COVID, stating, "Being uncomfortable is a good feeling, and it leads you to greater things. Create something that is an upgrade of what we're used to doing." This push resulted in enhanced body mechanics, facial animations, updated body rigs, and superior lighting. Filoni's reaction to a recent episode was, "Wow, you guys, you are actually creating cinema," reflecting his pride in the team's achievements.

Portillo emphasized that *Maul: Shadow Lord* represents a significant upgrade from previous works like *The Bad Batch* and *Tales of the Underworld*. Although *Tales of the Underworld* has been completed and is set to release in 2025, *Maul: Shadow Lord* is slated for 2026 and is still in development.

*Tales of the Underworld* will focus on Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane, offering three episodes for each character, totaling six. Ventress' arc will explore her return, thanks to Mother Talzin, and her interactions with a boy in the first short, evolving into a story of two Jedi on the run. Portillo confirmed that this series picks up where the *Dark Disciple* novel left off, focusing on Ventress' relationship with Quinlan Vos, a storyline that resonated deeply with fans. "When he said, 'I will always love you,' it blew everyone away," she noted, highlighting the appeal of forbidden love stories within the Jedi context.

Ventress' journey will also delve into her contemplation of her past and future paths. "Sometimes after they've gone through a lot, they start to rethink their path," Portillo explained. "Some choose exile, distancing themselves from their history, while others turn to the dark side. Ventress' story will show how meeting certain people can change you for the better."

Both series promise to enrich the Star Wars universe in exciting ways. *Tales of the Underworld* is set to premiere on Disney+ on May 4, 2025, with *Maul: Shadow Lord* following in 2026.