The Lucasfilm Animation 20th Anniversary panel was a fascinating exploration of two decades of Star Wars animation (not to ignore Ewoks, Droids, Clone Wars or The Holiday Special of course) and joining Dave Filoni onstage was producer Athena Portillo who not only joined Filoni in remembering the challenges and triumphs of The Clone Wars, Rebels, Resistance, The Bad Batch and the Tales of series but also revealed what’s coming next – Maul: Shadow Lord, starring Sam Witwer as the former Dark Lord of the Sith.

During the 20th anniversary Lucasfilm Animation panel at Star Wars Celebration Japan, surprise guest Sam Witwer took the stage to reveal his return to the galaxy as the star of the next animated series — Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord.

Witwer first portrayed Maul in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, later reprising the role in Star Wars Rebels. In a new series set after the events of the final season of The Clone Wars, Maul rises again to lead the underworld factions.

Fans attending the panel in person got an early look at the series’ new animation style with an in-room-only sizzle.

Later that afternoon, Witwer and Portillo would take to the Star Wars LIVE stage to discuss the panel – and Maul – further.