Star Wars fans have much to look forward to, as recent insights from Star Wars Celebration Japan indicate an exciting future for animated projects within the franchise. Athena Portillo, Vice President of Animation at Lucasfilm, shared exclusive details with IGN about two highly anticipated series: the newly announced "Tales of the Underworld" and "Maul: Shadow Lord."
Portillo expressed particular enthusiasm about collaborating with Sam Witwer, the voice behind Darth Maul in various Star Wars animated projects, on "Maul: Shadow Lord." She highlighted Witwer's deep involvement in shaping the character's depth and lore alongside head writer and supervising director, and Lucasfilm's Chief Creative Officer, Dave Filoni. "Sam was involved a lot with the character depth and the lore... He's involved with the character depth of Maul because both him and Dave Filoni created the character together in animation," Portillo explained. This involvement extends to reading scripts, reviewing whip reels, and providing input on various production elements.
"Maul: Shadow Lord" promises to explore the rich history of Darth Maul, a character often compared to iconic horror villains like Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees due to his seemingly endless resurrections. "We are diving into Maul’s history and we get to jump into that in the stories," Portillo noted, underscoring the series' focus on this enduring antagonist.
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Portillo emphasized the significant enhancements in Lucasfilm Animation's production quality for these series, particularly in animation, lighting, effects, matte paintings, and asset design. She recounted how Dave Filoni challenged the team post-Covid to elevate their work beyond comfort zones. "Being uncomfortable is a good feeling, and it leads you to greater things... We updated all of our body rigs, and then all the lighting, everything," she shared. Filoni's reaction to an episode was telling: "Wow, you guys, you are actually creating cinema."
"Maul: Shadow Lord" is set to release in 2026, following the completion of "Tales of the Underworld," which Portillo described as an upgrade from previous projects like "The Bad Batch."
"Tales of the Underworld" will explore the lives of Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane across six episodes, with three dedicated to each character. Ventress's story will delve into her resurrection by Mother Talzin and her subsequent journey with a young boy, creating a narrative about two Jedi on the run and a budding relationship. This series picks up from the events of the "Dark Disciple" novel, confirming its place in the Star Wars canon. Portillo highlighted the emotional connection between Ventress and Quinlan Vos, a storyline that resonated deeply with fans. "When he said, 'I will always love you,' it blew everyone away," she recalled, emphasizing the appeal of such romantic narratives within the Jedi lore.
Ventress's journey also involves grappling with her past, choosing between exile and the dark side, and finding redemption through the influence of new characters she encounters. "Sometimes people come into your life for a reason to make you a better person," Portillo remarked, setting the stage for a transformative arc for Ventress.
Both "Tales of the Underworld" and "Maul: Shadow Lord" are poised to enrich the Star Wars universe further. "Tales of the Underworld" is slated to premiere on Disney+ on May 4, 2025, while fans eagerly await a release date for "Maul: Shadow Lord."
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