If Star Wars Celebration Japan is any indication, fans are in for a treat with the upcoming animated Star Wars projects. Athena Portillo, Vice President of Animation at Lucasfilm, shared exclusive insights with IGN about two highly anticipated series: the newly announced Tales of the Underworld and Maul: Shadow Lord.

Portillo expressed 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 alongside our head writer and supervising director," she told IGN at Star Wars Celebration Japan. "He's integral to Maul's character development, having co-created him with Dave Filoni in animation. Sam reviews scripts, watches animatics, and provides valuable input."

This series promises a fresh exploration of Darth Maul, a character who has repeatedly defied death. "It's like Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees," Portillo quipped. "Maul keeps coming back, and we're diving deep into his history and stories."

How Darth Maul Went From Supporting Villain to Star Wars Icon

View 14 ImagesPortillo emphasized the significant advancements in Lucasfilm Animation's production quality, highlighting "the animation, lighting, effects, matte paintings, lighting concepts, and assets."

"When Filoni launched the Maul show post-Covid, he urged our team to push beyond their comfort zones," she explained. "He encouraged us to create something superior to our previous work, enhancing animation styles, body mechanics, facial animations, and lighting. After watching an episode last week, Filoni remarked, 'Wow, you guys are creating cinema.' He's proud of what Lucasfilm Animation has achieved with this series."

Portillo added, "This is an upgrade from all our previous work, including The Bad Batch and Tales of the Underworld. We've just completed Tales of the Underworld and are set to release Maul in 2026, but we're still refining it."

Tales of the Underworld will delve into the lives of Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane, with three episodes dedicated to each character, totaling six episodes. Ventress' story will focus on her resurrection by Mother Talzin and her encounter with a young boy, leading to a tale of two Jedi on the run and a burgeoning relationship.

Ventress' journey also explores her struggle with her past. "After enduring much, characters often reassess their paths," Portillo noted. "Some choose exile, while others embrace the dark side. Ventress' story involves a character who enters her life to help her become a better person, providing a positive balance."

Both series promise to enrich the Star Wars universe. Tales of the Underworld is slated for release on Disney+ on May 4, 2025, while fans eagerly await a release date for Maul: Shadow Lord.