Lucasfilm Animation VP Unveils Enhanced Star Wars Projects

Star Wars Celebration Japan signals a vibrant future for animated Star Wars series. Athena Portillo, Lucasfilm's Vice President of Animation, shared insights with IGN about two thrilling upcoming shows: the newly revealed Tales of the Underworld and Maul: Shadow Lord.

Portillo expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with Sam Witwer, the voice behind Darth Maul in Star Wars animation, on Maul: Shadow Lord. “Sam deeply shaped the character’s depth and lore alongside our head writer and supervising director,” she told IGN at Star Wars Celebration Japan. “He reviews scripts, watches whip reels, and provides input on pool color and more.”

This marks a fresh exploration of Maul’s enduring saga, despite his repeated on-screen demises. “I tease the Lucasfilm Animation team that Maul is like Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees—he keeps returning,” Portillo said. “We’re diving into his history, exploring untold stories of this iconic villain.”

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Portillo emphasized significant upgrades in production quality, particularly in “animation, lighting, effects, matte paintings, and asset creation,” setting a new standard for Lucasfilm Animation.

“When Dave Filoni launched the Maul project post-Covid, he challenged us to step out of our comfort zones,” she explained. “He urged us to innovate in body mechanics, facial animation, and lighting. After reviewing an episode, Filoni remarked, ‘You’re creating cinema.’ He’s truly proud of what we’ve accomplished.”

Portillo noted, “This is a step up from our previous work, including Bad Batch and Tales of the Underworld. We just wrapped Tales, and Maul: Shadow Lord is set for release in 2026, with production still underway.”

Tales of the Underworld will feature Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane, with three episodes each, totaling six. Ventress’ arc will focus on her revival by Mother Talzin. “Her story follows her meeting a boy in the first short, forming a bond as two Jedi on the run,” Portillo said, hinting at a compelling relationship-driven narrative.

Ventress’ storyline builds on Dark Disciple, confirming her return as canon. “The Quinlan Vos and Ventress connection is a fan favorite,” Portillo shared. “Fans were stunned when Vos declared, ‘I will always love you.’ It’s a powerful love story, like Obi-Wan and Satine or Anakin and Padmé, defying Jedi traditions.”

Portillo highlighted Ventress’ journey of self-reflection. “After her trials, she’s rethinking her path. Some choose exile to escape their past, while others embrace the dark side,” she said. “Ventress meets a character who balances her, guiding her toward growth.”

Both series promise to enrich the Star Wars universe. Tales of the Underworld premieres on Disney+ on May 4, 2025, while Maul: Shadow Lord’s release date is still forthcoming.