Lucasfilm has announced the next chapter in its animated anthology series with Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld, set to premiere May 4, 2025, exclusively on Disney+. Continuing the tradition of Tales of the Jedi (2022) and Tales of the Empire (2024), this season shifts focus from Jedi and Imperial rulers to the morally gray operatives working in the galactic shadows.
The upcoming installment highlights two fan-favorite characters—Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane—each receiving a dedicated trio of episodes. Known for their complex arcs in The Clone Wars and appearances in The Bad Batch and The Book of Boba Fett, the duo’s return promises a gritty exploration of survival, loyalty, and legacy in a post-Order 66 galaxy.
Cad Bane’s episodes will reportedly explore his origin story, answering long-held questions about the infamous bounty hunter’s path to becoming one of the most feared guns-for-hire in the Outer Rim. Bane’s rise from mercenary to legend is expected to be a high-stakes narrative rooted in betrayal and power dynamics among rival syndicates.
Ventress, on the other hand, continues to raise eyebrows—not for her presence, but for what remains unsaid. Her arc will center on protecting a young Padawan survivor from an Inquisitor’s hunt. While fans welcome her return, many are expressing concern about the lack of narrative clarity around her survival. In Dark Disciple, a canonical novel released in 2015, Ventress sacrifices herself to save Jedi Quinlan Vos, and her fate was believed to be sealed.
That changed with her surprise appearance in The Bad Batch episode “The Harbinger,” where she reemerged—alive, sporting new hair, and wielding a yellow lightsaber. The episode made no mention of her prior death, leading to speculation about retcons, misdirection, or untold chapters.
The Tales of the Underworld trailer similarly omits any reference to her resurrection. Though her new storyline offers compelling drama, the lack of continuity explanation may frustrate viewers invested in the larger canon. Lucasfilm has yet to confirm whether the show will address the events of Dark Disciple, but expectations are high for at least a passing acknowledgment.
Despite the uncertainty, Tales of the Underworld stands to be a bold and stylistic shift in Star Wars storytelling—delving into a world where morality is flexible, loyalties are earned in blood, and the Force isn’t always a guiding light.
Sources:
StarWars.com
gfpods.com 
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