Star Wars fans have a lot to look forward to, as indicated by the buzz at Star Wars Celebration Japan. Athena Portillo, Vice President of Animation at Lucasfilm, shared exclusive insights with IGN about two highly anticipated animated projects: the newly announced Tales of the Underworld and Maul: Shadow Lord.
Portillo expressed her enthusiasm for collaborating with Sam Witwer, the voice behind Darth Maul in various Star Wars animated series, on Maul: Shadow Lord. "Sam was deeply involved in shaping the character's depth and lore, alongside our head writer and supervising director," she told IGN at the event. "Both he and Lucasfilm CCO Dave Filoni have co-created the character in animation, and Sam has been integral in reviewing scripts, watching animatics, and providing valuable input."
While Darth Maul has been a familiar face in the Star Wars universe, Maul: Shadow Lord promises to delve deeper into his backstory. Portillo humorously likened Maul to iconic horror villains like Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees, noting his repeated comebacks. "In Star Wars, Darth Maul has seemingly died multiple times, yet he keeps returning. We're exploring his history and jumping into his stories."
How Darth Maul Went From Supporting Villain to Star Wars Icon
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Portillo highlighted the significant enhancements in Lucasfilm Animation's production process for these series. "From animation and lighting to effects, matte paintings, and asset development, we've made substantial upgrades," she explained. She also mentioned that post-Covid, Dave Filoni encouraged the team to step out of their comfort zones. "Filoni urged us to create something beyond what we're used to, enhancing body mechanics, facial animation, and lighting. After watching an episode, he remarked, 'Wow, you guys are actually creating cinema.' He's proud of what Lucasfilm Animation has achieved with this show."
Portillo added that Maul: Shadow Lord represents a step up from their previous works, including The Bad Batch and Tales of the Underworld, and is set to release in 2026.
Tales of the Underworld will focus on Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane, exploring their journeys as villains across six episodes, with three dedicated to each character. Ventress' storyline, as outlined by Portillo, will revolve around her resurrection by Mother Talzin, leading to a narrative involving two Jedi on the run and a blossoming relationship.
Ventress' arc picks up from the events in the Dark Disciple novel, confirming her resurrection and exploring her relationship with Quinlan Vos. "The connection between Quinlan Vos and Ventress captivated fans, especially with Vos's declaration of love," Portillo said. "These love stories resonate deeply, similar to Obi-Wan and Satine or Padme and Anakin. Ventress' journey will also address her past and her path forward, influenced by new characters she encounters."
Both Tales of the Underworld and Maul: Shadow Lord are poised to enrich the Star Wars universe. Tales of the Underworld is slated for release on Disney+ on May 4, 2025, while fans eagerly await further details on the release of Maul: Shadow Lord.
