Highlights
- The debate surrounding Mace Windu’s return to the Star Wars universe revolves around factors such as fan service, his survival after Episode III, and the timing and format of a potential story.
- The Ghosh Windu clan, to which Mace Windu belongs, could still be alive in the cinematic universe, leaving room for exploration of their backstory and potential adaptation for live-action.
- Whether Mace Windu returns depends on whether his story has significant weight on the Empire conflict, a more satisfying end for his character, or the opportunity to introduce a new Windu Force-user and elaborate on his techniques.
Star Wars Jedi Master Mace Windu is about as mysterious as Yoda in terms of both backstory and time during exile. That is, if Mace Windu survived his fall in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. At least, there are some tales alluding to Yoda’s time in exile before he encountered Luke Skywalker. The debate regarding Mace Windu’s return to the sci-fi fantasy cinematic universe comes with many factors to consider pertaining to why, when, and how.
The “why” could range from Star Wars fan service, to simply answering the question of whether Mace Windu survived his fall in Episode III. As for when should a potential Mace Windu story take place, it could be anywhere before The Phantom Menace or after Revenge of the Sith. This leads to the next concern of how in terms of the format, film or TV, and the role: a Mace Windu story with or without Samuel L. Jackson reprising the role; a Mace Windu/Samuel L. Jackson cameo in another project; or, a story that delves into the lore of the Ghosh Windu clan which need not feature Mace Windu onscreen. This last option begs another question.
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Is the Ghosh Windu Clan Still Alive in Star Wars?
Star Wars Legends’ Ghosh Windu, or Korunnai tribe, is the little-known clan that Samuel L. Jackson’s Mace Windu was born into. He is believed to be one of the last remaining survivors. However, this backstory is not cinematic canon. Therefore, in the cinematic universe, there’s nothing to indicate that the Korunnai extinction status is true. It’s possible that the Ghosh Windu clan could be thriving in Star Wars, should the writers desire to adapt them for live-action.
That said, if Star Wars Legends of the Ghosh Windu were to be adapted more faithfully, with the near extinction of the Ghosh Windu to be fact, there are still some survivors that a potential Windu-led project or cameo could feature. Most notably, Mace Windu’s tribe-brother Kar Vastor’s story could pick up where Mace Windu’s story falls off at the end of Revenge of the Sith. Although Kar was not a Jedi, he was a highly skilled warrior and military leader. Despite some post-Clone Wars conflict with Mace Windu, Kar Vastor’s story after his brother’s demise may be worth exploring onscreen. Alternatively, Star Wars writers could craft an entirely new story for the Ghosh Windu clan if they ever make their debut.
Does Mace Windu Need To Return To Star Wars?
The short answer to whether Mace Windu should return: it depends. While some fans simply want to see more of Samuel L. Jackson as Mace Windu, others want to know whether the Jedi Master survived the fall after Anakin Skywalker’s attack. If so, what did he do during exile? The latter is a legitimate story concern rather than pure fan service. However, that potential story arc may only be worth exploring if it has significant weight on the Empire conflict or a more satisfying end for Mace Windu. The possibilities of what could have happened if Mace Windu survived are nearly endless, but some examples include:
- A vengeful plot against Darth Vader or Palpatine.
- Protecting people against the Empire on an obscure planet as he tries to remain hidden.
- Training and leading a rebellion.
- Going back to his clan to search for a Force-user to train as his replacement.
The last example may be the best story to explore for a few reasons. As fans will know, the first and third examples will ultimately fail. Even if a rematch (or rather, a fair match) between Mace Windu and Anakin as Darth Vader results in the Jedi Master’s doom, it will likely be a great duel to visualize. The second example above could be an exciting Rambo version of Star Wars, but also a potentially insignificant piece of lore if little else comes of it.
The last example, however, could create a Star Wars first. It could show the Jedi Master reconnecting with his clan and their culture, as well as teaching them to wield the Force. Diving into the lore of both his purple lightsaber and his philosophy of the Force would be welcomed too. Like Yoda, this gives Mace Windu the opportunity to pass on his knowledge, and possibly his lightsaber, as well. It could go on to provide the Star Wars universe with another Windu Force-user. This would also be a great opportunity for Star Wars to elaborate on Mace Windu’s shatterpoint technique onscreen.
How Star Wars Could Better End Mace Windu’s Story
Forgoing Mace Windu appearing onscreen in order to follow the journey of a new Windu Force-sensitive is also a valid story option. The Ghosh Windu clan has a long history in Star Wars Legends that could be adapted into canon. Star Wars‘ growing diversity onscreen can and should hold space for more stories of people from other underrepresented cultures in the universe. Despite Mace Windu being a Jedi, his next potential story could go beyond the Jedi-Sith conflict.
Ultimately, bringing a more satisfying end to Mace Windu’s story is what fuels this debate. Mace Windu’s return to Star Wars with Samuel L. Jackson reprising the role should tell a story that connects to and expands upon the current lore unfolding onscreen. Connecting his story to the developments in other projects, while also introducing other Force-using cultures, could make a new Mace Windu story worthwhile. But that’s also an expected route to take.
Dramatizing Mace Windu’s forced retirement from being a Jedi in a way that makes him choose between living a way of life more aligned with his birth culture rather than his chosen culture could be a compelling story. He could even seek the healing magic of the witches for his hands; all while he struggles to keep his rage and grief from corrupting his lightsaber and becoming like Anakin. It’s pure speculation, but a potentially compelling tale for the former Jedi Master in Star Wars. Still, the future of the Windu clan as major players should not be dependent on Mace Windu or Samuel L. Jackson alone. A Ghosh Windu clan story could teach Mace Windu and fans the importance of letting go of the past in order to keep moving forward.
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