Phil Roberts 
Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld has once again elevated the standard of Star Wars animation. Filoni’s scripts are breathtaking and carry an emotional weight that transcends the limitations of animation.
It’s Star Wars Day, and the celebrations wouldn’t be complete without a gift from Dave Filoni. The Lucasfilm legend has recently returned to the animated realm with projects like Tales of the Jedi and Tales of the Empire. For 2025, the visionary director is focusing on the darker side of the galaxy with a new series titled Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld. This series will consist of six animated shorts that tell the stories of two of the galaxy’s most infamous criminals: Asajj Ventress and the deadly bounty hunter Cad Bane.
These beloved characters have had a long presence in the animated genre and have experienced their fair share of exciting episodes. From The Clone Wars to The Bad Batch, Cad Bane and Asajj Ventress have become integral to the saga. With Bane’s recent transition to live-action still fresh in our minds, there remains plenty of backstory to explore before his demise at the hands of Boba Fett. Spoiler alert! However, can these latest animated shorts offer anything new to these characters’ backstories, or should Dave Filoni focus solely on live-action from this point forward?
REVIEW
Fear not, Star Wars fans, because Tales of the Underworld is another jewel in Dave Filoni’s crown. The series is another triumph that sheds new light on Cad Bane’s life and adds more depth to Asajj Ventress’ life post-Clone Wars. Bane’s story arc is a joy to watch unfold, taking us back to his childhood and eventual transition to the Bounty Hunter we know and love. In contrast, Ventress’ arc focuses primarily on her closing the book on her wartime life and learning to let go of her hatred in favor of building a better life for herself. Though not wholly necessary, the series is another spellbinding adventure from one of the best creative minds of our time. Filoni lives and breathes this world, and with this rich and rewarding material, long may he reign.
VENTRESS
Fortnite players were lucky enough to enjoy the first two episodes in Ventress’ arc two days early, thanks to a new collaboration, and boy, were they spoiled. The story mainly centers on Ventress after The Clone Wars, as she aims to move beyond her past and create a better future. She holds a monotonous yet rewarding 9-to-5 job that positively impacts people’s lives. This job reflects her efforts to atone for the wrongs she committed during the war, and it’s refreshing to see Ventress in a role characterized by conscience and empathy.
In this era, the Empire’s grip on the galaxy is tightening, and people are fleeing densely populated systems to evade chain code inspections. But when a former Jedi Padawan enters her employer’s business, desperate for a way off-world, Ventress’ newfound ideals are put to the ultimate test. It is here where Dave Filoni’s intricate knowledge of the franchise comes into play. The young Jedi is searching for “The Path”, the secret Jedi underground escape route established by her mentor, Jedi Master Quinlan Vos. The Path was recently referenced in the live-action Obi-Wan Kenobi series, so these connections are a joy to watch.
THE JEDI WAY
What follows is an intriguing exploration of Ventress’s journey as she transforms from a former Separatist war criminal into an empathetic defender of freedom. Even a few old acquaintances from The Clone Wars add weight to her journey, offering a polarizing look at how far she has come. Observing her gradual shift from a self-serving pacifist to a dedicated mentor of a former Jedi Padawan is fascinating. In fact, one could almost describe her as the quintessential Jedi Master, symbolizing her transition into the very thing she once vowed to destroy during the Clone Wars. Where there was once separation, there is now attachment; where there was once hate, there is now empathy; and where there was a disregard for life, there is now a commitment to doing what is right.
Only Dave Filoni could take Ventress’s less-than-heroic backstory and thrust her headlong into a full redemption story. Naturally, being Ventress, there’s always a sinister edge to her dialogue that keeps her character sharp. However, it’s refreshing to see her portrayed as a reluctant warrior defending the defenseless, ultimately transitioning into a fully-fledged “Jedi Master.”
DUELS WITH THE DARK SIDE
Not that she has given up her lightsaber, don’t be fooled into thinking she has lost her touch, far from it. Instead, Filoni uses her engagements with her enemies as a tool to help her confront her past. Whether she is facing off against an Imperial Inquisitor, who acts as a mirror into her former life, or a rendezvous with a former leader in the Separatist Alliance, the sins of her past are never far from the story. In the case of the Separatist leader, her newfound appreciation for life comes full circle when she attempts to convince him to abandon his war-like ways in favor of a peaceful resolution. It is a testament to how far she has grown and symbolizes the seasoning of a brilliant writer bringing one of his most cherished characters to resolution.
By the time the credits roll on the finale, Ventress has confronted her past mistakes and accepted who she was and who she wants to become in the future. She has evolved into a better person who is willing to prioritize the needs of others before her own. Where there was once hatred, she now finds hope. These sessions consist of a trio of therapy meetings for a war criminal seeking solace. This marks an essential step in Ventress’s journey, and if this is the last time we see her, we are left with the comforting thought that she is in a good place.
CAD BANE
Despite his constant involvement throughout The Clone Wars and The Bad Batch, we still know little about Cad Bane. Once you strip away his beloved droid, Todo 360, his ankle jet thrusters, his iconic hat and trench coat, and his icy persona, who is Cad Bane? Wonder no longer because Dave Filoni has revealed where it all began for this legendary bounty hunter. From his earliest beginnings as an orphaned street kid living on the harsh streets of his home planet to his less-than-wholesome upbringing, we see Bane before life turned him into a ruthless killer.
The story begins with Bane and his childhood friend, Niro, scrounging for food in his slum-like neighborhood. The area is rundown, and like the harshness of their surroundings, Niro and Bane have developed a thick skin. From robbing unsuspecting droids for food or bin diving for scraps, we see the duo struggling to carve out a meager existence while yearning for a greater life.
SHADY CHARACTERS
Their fortunes take a turn for the better when a mysterious stranger appears. Dressed in Bane’s iconic hat and coat, the stranger rewards them with a coin, providing a taste of a better life. With their newfound wealth, they indulge in all their desires, and by dawn, they have no intention of returning to their former lives of scavenging. When the stranger returns with an offer for them to work for him, the duo eagerly accepts. However, at this point, Bane and Niro’s paths diverge, leading them on very different journeys.
Bane becomes a member of the Strangers crew, while Niro takes on the role of a law officer. Both of them enjoy relatively prosperous lives and grow into strong adults. However, when one of the Strangers’ heists goes wrong, Bane is forced to return to his old haunts. Accompanied by his girlfriend, Bane returns to confront those responsible for the Strangers’ predicament and finds himself face to face with the region’s Marshal.
PISTOLS AT SUNSET?Â
It seems fitting that Cad Bane’s first steps to becoming the Bounty Hunter we know and love begin with a gunfight in the streets. After all, Bane’s journey ends on the streets of Tatooine in a gunfight with Boba Fett, so the irony won’t be lost on any fan. However, every journey has a beginning, and Bane’s begins here in gloriously tense fashion. But when Niro arrives on the scene and pleads with Bane to surrender, Bane’s girlfriend intervenes and sets up a confrontation that serves as an all-new but equally impactful canon event in Star Wars history.
The heartbreak of Bane’s girlfriend as he is arrested and sent to prison is palpable, and this is a deliberate plot point hatched by Filoni. The story that unfolds is heart-wrenching, not just for the characters involved, but for the audience. Although many of the characters remain on the fringes of the story, their involvement serves as intersections that add more depth to Bane’s backstory and provide us with the events that shape him into the character we love.
MASTERFUL FILONI
These moments are filled with emotional significance that intensifies as the trio of episodes unfolds. We gain a deeper understanding of Bane, witness the events that shape him, and feel his pain as the full weight of his journey comes to fruition. The choices he makes will turn him into a ruthless killer, one who cannot afford to look back; the pain of his past is a burden he can never escape. These qualities mark the essence of a great character, and the storytelling here reflects the skill of a master at the peak of his craft.
I have previously referred to Ahsoka as Dave Filoni’s magnum opus, but the storytelling in the final episode even rivals that. The final episode is a masterclass that will leave its mark and will be hard to forget as we see Bane’s future actions against the Jedi and Clone Force 99. While Ventress’s trilogy of episodes was intriguing but nonessential, Bane’s trilogy is unmissable. While they may not be action-packed or fast-paced, they are essential viewing for a character who will forever be changed by the torment of his past – and it is this storyline that makes Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld a triumph.
VERDICT
Overall, Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld is another impressive achievement for Dave Filoni. Like his previous “Tales of” series, Tales of the Underworld has once again elevated the standard of Star Wars animation. Filoni’s scripts are breathtaking and carry an emotional weight that transcends the limitations of animation. The animation itself is stunning, showcasing the significant advancements in technology since the first episodes of The Clone Wars captivated audiences. The landscapes are beautifully rendered, the cinematography is striking, and every element of the show is presented with more detail than ever before. Even the water looks remarkably realistic, highlighting how far Lucasfilm Animation has pushed the boundaries of technology.
That, combined with Dave Filoni’s incredible storytelling, makes Tales of the Underworld a compelling, engaging, and poignantly heart-wrenching celebration of Star Wars. While Asajj Ventress’s storyline is uplifting and enjoyable, Bane’s arc is essential and will change how fans perceive him forever. Even the worst villains carry a hidden pain that shapes their character and influences every blaster shot they fire.
Ultimately, Bane’s journey ended just as it began—with a gunfight! And against Boba Fett…his time was up.
Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld is streaming on Disney+ now. Happy May the 4th!
Meet Phil Roberts! He’s the dedicated owner, daily content manager, and editor-in-chief of The Future of the Force. Phil is a budding novelist who turned his passion toward writing about the franchises he loves back in 2016. He’s a huge fan of all things Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies. Phil is a BFI-accredited journalist and a distinguished member of the Film Critics Association UK.
If he’s not catching a movie at the cinema, you can bet he’s streaming something just as awesome!
