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

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, recently shared insights in an exclusive interview with IGN about two highly anticipated series: Tales of the Underworld and Maul: Shadow Lord.

Portillo expressed immense enthusiasm about collaborating with Sam Witwer, the iconic voice behind Darth Maul, on Maul: Shadow Lord. "Sam has been deeply involved in developing Maul's character depth and lore alongside our head writer and supervising director," she told IGN. "He's been integral in shaping Maul's narrative, from reading scripts to providing feedback on visual elements like whip reels and color palettes." This collaboration highlights the dedication to enriching Maul's story, a character co-created by Witwer and Lucasfilm CCO Dave Filoni in animation.

Maul's journey from a supporting villain to a Star Wars icon is a testament to the character's enduring appeal. Portillo humorously likened 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 always there, right? I mean, it's Star Wars, so Darth Maul has passed away so many times, but he does keep coming back." The series aims to explore Maul's rich history, promising a deep dive into his narrative.

How Darth Maul Went From Supporting Villain to Star Wars Icon

View 14 ImagesPortillo emphasized the significant advancements in Lucasfilm Animation's production techniques, particularly in "the animation, the lighting, the effects, the matte paintings, the lighting concepts, the assets." She shared how, post-COVID, Filoni encouraged the team to push their boundaries. "Filoni 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 recounted. This approach has led to remarkable improvements in body mechanics, facial animation, and overall visual quality, with Filoni himself commenting, "Wow, you guys, you are actually creating cinema."

Portillo also confirmed that Maul: Shadow Lord represents a significant upgrade from previous works like The Bad Batch and Tales of the Underworld, which has just been completed. Maul: Shadow Lord is slated for release in 2026.

On the other hand, Tales of the Underworld will delve into the lives of Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane, each with three episodes focusing on their journeys as villains. Ventress's narrative will pick up from the Dark Disciple novel, exploring her rebirth and her connection with Quinlan Vos. "My favorite part of that is the whole Quinlan Vos and Ventress connection," Portillo shared. "When the fans saw that, and when he said, 'I will always love you,' it blew everyone away." Ventress's story will explore her grappling with her past and the influence of a new character she meets, suggesting a path of redemption or transformation.

Both series are poised to expand the Star Wars universe in exciting ways. 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.