Star Wars fans have much to look forward to, as hinted by the buzz at Star Wars Celebration Japan. Athena Portillo, Vice President of Animation at Lucasfilm, shared insights with IGN on two highly anticipated animated series: "Tales of the Underworld" and "Maul: Shadow Lord." These projects promise to enrich the Star Wars universe with compelling narratives and upgraded visuals.
Portillo expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with Sam Witwer, the voice behind Darth Maul, on "Maul: Shadow Lord." She highlighted Witwer's integral role in shaping the character's depth and lore alongside head writer and supervising director Dave Filoni. "Sam was involved a lot with the character depth and the lore," Portillo noted. "He's involved with the character depth of Maul, because both him and Dave Filoni created the character together in animation... He provides input."
"Maul: Shadow Lord" delves deeper into the story of this iconic villain, whom Portillo humorously compared to horror icons like Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees. "Like you keep killing them, but they keep coming back," she said, emphasizing Maul's enduring presence in the Star Wars saga. The series aims to explore Maul's history, offering fans a fresh perspective on his journey.
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Portillo emphasized the significant enhancements in Lucasfilm Animation's production process, including animation, lighting, effects, matte paintings, and asset development. She recounted Filoni's challenge to the team post-Covid to push beyond their comfort zones. "Being uncomfortable is a good feeling, and it leads you to greater things," Filoni advised, urging the team to create an upgraded animation style. This approach has resulted in what Filoni described as "cinema," showcasing the team's remarkable achievements with "Maul: Shadow Lord."
Portillo confirmed that "Maul: Shadow Lord" represents a step up from previous projects like "The Bad Batch" and "Tales of the Underworld," with its release slated for 2026. Meanwhile, "Tales of the Underworld" will explore the journeys of Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane, each character featured in three episodes. Ventress' storyline will focus on her resurrection by Mother Talzin and her subsequent adventures with a young boy, forming a narrative about two Jedi on the run.
Addressing fan speculation about Ventress' fate, Portillo confirmed that "Tales of the Underworld" continues from the "Dark Disciple" novel, exploring the emotional connection between Ventress and Quinlan Vos. "When the fans saw that, and when he said, 'I will always love you,' it blew everyone away," she shared, highlighting the series' focus on love stories within the Jedi context.
Ventress' journey in "Tales of the Underworld" also delves into her struggle with her past, as she reevaluates her path. Portillo explained, "Sometimes after they've gone through a lot, they start to rethink their path... Some choose a path of exile... And then others turn to the dark side." The series introduces a character who helps Ventress find balance, suggesting a transformative arc for her.
Both "Tales of the Underworld" and "Maul: Shadow Lord" promise 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 further details on the release of "Maul: Shadow Lord."
