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

If Star Wars Celebration Japan is anything to go by, fans are in for a major treat with a wave of exciting new animated projects on the horizon. During an exclusive interview at the event, Athena Portillo, Vice President of Animation at Lucasfilm, sat down with IGN to give us an inside look at two upcoming animated series that have everyone talking: *Tales of the Underworld* and the newly announced *Maul: Shadow Lord*.

Portillo expressed particular enthusiasm about working with Sam Witwer—the iconic voice behind Darth Maul across multiple Star Wars animated series—on *Maul: Shadow Lord*. “Sam was deeply involved in shaping the character’s depth and lore,” she shared. “He worked closely with our head writer and supervising director, providing valuable input throughout the process—from script reads to reviewing whip reels and color passes.” She added, “Sam and Dave Filoni essentially co-created this character in animation, so having him be such an integral part of this project has been incredible.”

While Darth Maul has appeared numerous times across the Star Wars universe, this marks the first time audiences will get an in-depth exploration of his story. “My joke to the team is that he's kind of like Jason Voorhees or Michael Myers—he keeps coming back no matter how many times you think he's gone,” laughed Portillo. “We're finally diving into his history and bringing those stories to life.”

How Darth Maul Evolved from Villain to Star Wars Legend

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Portillo also emphasized how production standards have significantly evolved compared to earlier Lucasfilm Animation efforts. She pointed out improvements in areas such as animation quality, lighting, visual effects, matte painting, and asset design. “When Filoni launched the *Maul* project post-pandemic, he challenged the team to push beyond their comfort zones,” she explained. “He wanted something bolder, more cinematic. We updated body rigs, refined facial animations, enhanced lighting techniques—everything got a full upgrade.”

She continued, “When Filoni recently watched one of the episodes, he said, ‘Wow, you guys are actually creating cinema.’ That really speaks volumes about what we've accomplished with this show.” Portillo noted that even compared to *The Bad Batch* and *Tales of the Underworld*, *Maul: Shadow Lord* represents a significant leap forward in animation excellence. The latter series is currently set for release in 2026, though work on it continues.

Tales of the Underworld: A New Chapter for Ventress and Cad Bane

As for *Tales of the Underworld*, the series will explore the complex lives of fan-favorite villains Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane through three short episodes each, totaling six chapters. According to Portillo, Ventress’ arc picks up directly from the events of *Dark Disciple*, where Mother Talzin offered her a second chance. “Her journey starts with meeting the boy featured in the first short,” Portillo explained. “Together, they become two Jedi on the run, forming a unique bond that unfolds over the course of the three shorts.”

Fans have long speculated about Ventress’ fate following her apparent resurrection in *Dark Disciple*. Now, Portillo confirms that *Tales of the Underworld* builds directly upon that storyline. “I love how Quinlan Vos and Ventress' relationship unfolded,” she said. “When he said, ‘I will always love you,’ it really struck a chord with people. Fans love these forbidden love stories—like Obi-Wan and Satine, Anakin and Padmé—and now Ventress and Vos.”

She also touched on how Ventress grapples with her past, especially in how she chooses to spend her time after being given a second chance. “Sometimes after going through so much, people begin to question their path. Some seek exile, others fall deeper into darkness,” she reflected. “In Ventress’ case, the person she meets in the first short helps guide her toward becoming someone better.”

Both *Tales of the Underworld* and *Maul: Shadow Lord* promise to deliver compelling narratives that expand the Star Wars galaxy in fresh and meaningful ways. Mark your calendars—*Tales of the Underworld* arrives exclusively on Disney+ on May 4, 2025, while fans eagerly await news of a release date for *Maul: Shadow Lord*.