Samuel L. Jackson is hoping to reprise his role as Mace Windu in the Star Wars TV series The Mandalorian.
Though Windu appeared to have died in the 2005 film Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, fans, as well as Jackson himself, have pointed out that Windu’s death was not really shown in the movie, so it’s entirely possible that he’s still alive.
In this week’s episode of the Happy Sad Confused podcast, host Josh Horowitz asked Jackson if he’s holding out hope for a Star Trek comeback for Windu. And the actor replied, “Definitely. There’s a huge history of people with one hand returning in Star Wars…”
Jackson went on to reveal that the only person he had opened up to about his desire to reprise Windu was his Argylle co-star Bryce Dallas Howard.
“The only person I’ve ever said that to about coming back was Bryce Dallas Howard, ‘cause I just did a movie with her. And she directs episodes of The Mandalorian,” shared Jackson. “So, [I was like] ‘You think you might be able to hook a brother up? I mean you like me, right?’ She’s like, ‘I love you, you’re amazing!’ So, ‘Put me back in there… Put me in, coach, I’m ready!’ You know, I’ll learn to lightsaber left-handed. Come on, hook me up.”
How did Mace Windu “die”?
Windu “died” at the hands of the Dark Side in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. In a climactic battle with Darth Sidious (Ian McDiarmid) after Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) had turned to the dark side, not only did Skywalker cut off Windu’s arm, but Darth Sidious also struck him with Force lightning, ultimately pushing him out the window.
According to ComicBook.com, Windu was absent from all stories that happened during the original trilogy, and since The Mandalorian takes place years after that time period, it would seem unlikely that the character had actually survived his showdown with Darth Sidious. But with Yoda having gone into exile during that same period, the idea that Windu also survived and similarly went into hiding to avoid Order 66 and the execution of all Jedi is also completely possible.
Potential comeback storyline for Mace Windu
While Jackson wants to see Windu return to the Star Wars universe via The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett star Temuera Morrison has his own ideas on how the character can come back. Morrison jokingly told IMDB’s On the Scene last month that Windu should show up in season 2 of The Book of Boba Fett so the actor’s titular character could settle a score.
“I owe him big time for my dad. He’s done. He’s done,” Morrison said, referring to Boba Fett’s father Jango Fett, who was killed by Windu in 2002’s Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. “I’ve got my eye on him. He’s top of the list, in fact.”
The Mandalorian season 3 is currently filming and is expected to premiere on Disney+ later this year. The Book of Boba Fett, meanwhile, just ended its first-season run last month. There’s no word yet whether it will be back for a season 2.