Summary
The character of Mace Windu didn’t receive a lot of exploration, despite having a lot of potential. He returned forStar Wars: The Clone Wars, but he’s been noticeably absent from events taking place afterStar Wars: Revenge of the Sith. That’s probably because he seemingly perished during the film’s climactic events. However, that hasn’t stopped fans from theorizing his character is alive and well.
Why do fans think this? There’s an age-old rule of visual confirmation in cinema: No body, no death. However, despite this tenet, it’s time for fans to relinquish the idea that Samuel L. Jackson — or any actor — will return as Mace Windu after the events ofRevenge of the Sith. Audiences are more likely to seeSamuel L. Jackson reprise Nick Fury for Marvela hundred times before wields his purple lightsaber again.
What Happened to Mace Windu?
Mace Windu took a bit of a tumble. That’s the gist of things. At the end of the Clone Wars, the Jedi discover that Chancellor Palpatine is a Sith Lord who has manipulated events to position himself as the supreme leader of the Galactic Republic. Mace Windu took a detachment of Jedi to confront him and put an end to his machinations. Not only did audiences get to see that beautiful purple lightsaber of Windu’s again, but this was the first time they saw Darth Sidious in action with a lightsaber himself. While his style of fighting wasn’t the most conventional, he managed to defeat Kit Fisto, Saesee Tiin, and Agen Kolar, leaving only Mace Windu standing.
Mace proved more difficult to slay than Palpatine anticipated. Mace would have gotten away with killing Palpatine too, if it hadn’t been for that pesky Anakin Skywalker. By the time young Skywalker arrived at the Chancellor’s office, Mace Windu had him on the floor at lightsaberpoint, begging for his life. Unfortunately, Palpatine had his claws gripped deep in Anakin’s mind, making him believe he had the ability to save the woman he loved. If Anakin was ever going to prevent Padme from dying,he needed Palpatine alive.
After a brief internal struggle with himself, Anakin ignited his lightsaber and disarmed (dis-handed?) Master Windu, thus cementing his position by Palpatine’s side as Darth Vader. The Chancellor took this opportunity to finish off his opponent by striking him with Force lightning and sent him tumbling out the shattered window to his supposed doom.
However, Jedi and non-Jedi alike have survived much harsher attacks, so why not Mace Windu?
Why Mace Windu Isn’t Returning
Sadly, the only event in which Mace Windu survives to fight another day is during theStar Wars: Visionscontinuity.Visionsis an alternate reality that acts as theWhat If… forStar Wars.Its first comic shows an older and more blind Jedi master. Despite seeing how Mace Windu could have survived a headbutt against Coruscant’s streets, he’s unlikely to return in the main continuity. It’s not even a matter of whether Mace Windu survived or not. If filmmakers were going to use him, he would have returned to action by now.
While the “no body, no death” mantra still stands true, many projects have come and gone that could have taken advantage and shown the former master’s current status in the world ofStar Wars. Granted, theObi-Wan Kenobiseriesshowed the bodies of several fallen Jedi and Mace Windu wasn’t among them, which gives some credence to the theory that he’s alive. However, betweenRebels,Obi-Wan Kenobi,The Mandalorian, and nowAhsoka, it’s fairly safe to say that if he hasn’t shown his face yet, he’s never coming back.
The best fans can hope for is a prequel series that shows a younger version of the character, or an appearance in an animated show likeTales of the Jedi. It’s a shame that Samuel L. Jackson or his character won’t get a chance to return to the galaxy far, far away in a story after his fall, since several other characters survived similar fates. Fans saw the return of Darth Maul even after his upper and lower torsos decided to part ways.Boba Fett survived the Sarlaac Pit eating himalive. Yet, a great Jedi Master who is arguably as powerful as Yoda couldn’t survive a little Force lightning and a long fall.
One thing that fueled a lot of fan theories about Mace Windu surviving his trip out of Palpatine’s window was Samuel L. Jackson running the idea by George Lucas, and Lucas approving it. Unfortunately for Mace Windu, neither Jackson nor Lucas has any pull in the production of Lucasfilm projects. Lucas can share ideas, but that’s the extent of his involvement, much to the dismay of many fans.
It would be nice to see an older, more grizzled Mace reemerge from hiding. There are things about him, such as wielding Dark Side powers, that could be further explored. Unfortunately, his fate seems to be final.
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