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

Star Wars fans have much to look forward to, especially after the exciting announcements made at Star Wars Celebration Japan. In an exclusive interview with IGN, Athena Portillo, Vice President of Animation at Lucasfilm, shared insights into two highly anticipated animated series: the newly announced Tales of the Underworld and the upcoming Maul: Shadow Lord.

Portillo expressed her enthusiasm about collaborating with Sam Witwer, the iconic voice behind 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. "He and [Lucasfilm CCO Dave] Filoni co-created Maul in animation, so he's intricately involved in the process, from reading scripts to providing input on everything from whip reels to color choices."

This series marks a significant exploration into the life of Darth Maul, a character who has become almost legendary in his persistence. Portillo humorously compared Maul to horror icons like Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees, noting, "Like you keep killing them, but they keep coming back. There is that threat that's there, right? I mean, it's Star Wars, right? So Darth Maul has passed away so many times, but he does keep coming back. ...We are diving into Maul’s history and we get to jump into that in the stories."

How Darth Maul Went From Supporting Villain to Star Wars Icon

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Portillo emphasized the significant enhancements in Lucasfilm Animation's production techniques, including advancements in animation, lighting, effects, matte paintings, and asset creation. "When Filoni kicked off the Maul show, which was after Covid, people were getting back into the swing of coming back to work, but he said, ‘You all need to pull yourself out of complacency, you all need to pull yourself out of your comfort level. Being uncomfortable is a good feeling, and it leads you to greater things. So, create something that is an upgrade of what we're used to doing,’" she explained. These upgrades span from improved body mechanics and facial animations to updated lighting and effects, with Filoni himself praising the work as "creating cinema."

Portillo also confirmed that Maul: Shadow Lord is set to be released in 2026, while noting it is still in development. Meanwhile, Tales of the Underworld, which follows the journeys of Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane, is complete and ready for its Disney+ debut on May 4, 2025. This series will consist of six episodes, three dedicated to each character. Ventress' storyline will focus on her resurrection by Mother Talzin and her subsequent adventures with a young boy, leading to a narrative about two Jedi on the run and a budding relationship.

Addressing fan speculation about Ventress' fate, Portillo confirmed that Tales of the Underworld continues directly from the events of the Dark Disciple novel. "Yeah. My favorite part of that is the whole Quinlan Vos and Ventress connection. When the fans saw that, and when he said, ‘I will always love you,’ it blew everyone away," she revealed. The series will explore Ventress' internal conflict and her path forward, reflecting on themes of redemption and the influence of others on one's life journey.

Both Tales of the Underworld and Maul: Shadow Lord promise to enrich the Star Wars universe with their deep character explorations and stunning animation. Fans are eagerly awaiting these additions to the beloved franchise.