The (alleged?) death of Jedi Master Mace Windu in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith is apparently exaggerated, as Samuel L. Jackson himself says “HE’S NOT DEAD!!!” – whether this is a classic case of no-body-no-death or just an overenthusiastic actor is still up for debate.
In a recent interview, the celebrated actor ignited speculation about the fate of Mace Windu after his duel with Senator Palpatine and Anakin Skywalker. Jackson boldly asserted that the Jedi Master with a purple-hued lightsaber is still alive somewhere in the galaxy far, far away.
.@empiremagazine asked me some questions about the @starwars prequels and I told them THE TRUTH‼️ Long live MACE WINDU 👊🏾👊🏾💥 🪐 #macewindu #starwars @Lucasfilm pic.twitter.com/6NBRGpa6Xy
— Samuel L. Jackson (@SamuelLJackson) February 17, 2024
Jackson passionately expressed his fervent desire for the revered Jedi Master to lead his own Disney+ TV series. The actor’s enthusiasm reached its peak when asked about a potential Mace Windu series like 2022’s Obi-Wan Kenobi (which starred Ewan McGregor), as he declared, “Everything yes!!
The pivotal scene from Revenge of the Sith, where Windu confronts Palpatine, features a lightsaber duel resulting in Windu’s hand being severed by the corrupted Anakin Skywalker. Despite the apparent fatal conclusion with Palpatine’s powerful burst of lightning, the absence of a definitive on-screen death has left room for theories and fueled discussions among Star Wars fans.
While Jackson has expressed the possibility of returning to the role for many years, it should be noted that Mace Windu did return in a later Star Wars film. Jackson provided the voice of Mace Windu in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker among the other Jedi who empowered Rey Palpatine against the resurrected Emperor.
While the potential of a Mace Windu series from Lucasfilm is up in the air, the character’s enduring popularity is evident in recent Star Wars projects. Marvel’s release of the Star Wars: Mace Windu comic series, exploring the character’s backstory, received favorable reviews.
Furthermore, the upcoming novel, Star Wars: The Glass Abyss by Steven Barnes, slated for release on August 6, 2024, promises to shed light on Mace Windu’s story. Plus, there is also Star Wars writer John Jackson Miller’s return in April with Star Wars: The Living Force, featuring Master Windu and set a year before The Phantom Menace.
As 2024 marks the 25th anniversary celebrations of The Phantom Menace, fans can expect more interviews and features with cast members from the prequel trilogy, as well as newer spinoffs. Projects like Darth Maul: Black, White & Red are set to contribute to the commemoration of the prequel trilogy’s legacy.
Other Star Wars projects in 2024 include the confirmed return of Andor for a second and final season, along with upcoming series like The Acolyte and Skeleton Crew. These are joined by books, comics and video games further expanding the new canon of the galaxy far, far away.
Samuel L. Jackson’s call for a Mace Windu Disney+ series raises intriguing possibilities for the Star Wars universe. Questions like where the Jedi Master has been since his disappearance and why he stood away from the conflict between the Empire and the Rebel Alliance would need to be answered. If Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ahsoka could have their own series, why not Master Windu?
