Mace Windu is one of the most important Jedi in the Star Wars saga, but how did Samuel L. Jackson come to play the role? Originally introduced into canon in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, Jackson’s Mace Windu quickly became a pivotal player not just in the Clone Wars conflict but within Anakin Skywalker’s life as well. Despite Qui-Gon Jinn viewing Anakin as the Chosen One, Windu was hesitant to admit him to the Order and remained distant and suspicious of Anakin even as he excelled during his training with Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Later, when the Clone Wars kicked off, Windu became a respected Jedi General. His seat on the Jedi Council offered him a valuable and powerful position during the conflict – too powerful, some believe, as he was blind to the truth of the dark side. With his unique purple lightsaber, his place within the Order, and Samuel L. Jackson’s strong performance, Mace Windu understandably became one of Star Wars’ most compelling characters.

How Samuel Jackson Became Part Of Star Wars

Naturally, Samuel L. Jackson’s involvement in Star Wars can be traced back to George Lucas, though the story of how they met and ended up working together is an interesting one. In 2023, while speaking to Vulture, Jackson revealed why George Lucas approached him in the first place.

“I remember I was on some British talk show and they asked me if there were any directors I wanted to work with I hadn’t worked with. I go, ‘Yeah, George Lucas. I’d love to be in a Star Wars movie.’ Then I go off and I’m doing Sphere in Vallejo with Dustin and Sharon Stone and I get a call. ‘George Lucas would like to meet you. He hears you want to be in his Star Wars movie.'”

Jackson went on to explain that, once he and Lucas had met, they hit it off, both on and off-set. Jackson is one of the hardest-working actors in Hollywood and always has been, so it’s no surprise that Lucas enjoyed working with him on the Star Wars prequel trilogy. However, while Jackson appreciated the experience, he also had a bone to pick with some of Star Wars’ more … fervent fans.

“George and I became really good friends. He liked my work ethic, he liked the fact I showed up, I hit my marks, I knew my lines, I was nice to everybody, I was cool, I was glad to be there. So now I’m in the Star Wars universe, which is great. Back then, that was the biggest fan base on the planet. I’ve been accosted by the Jedi Council of every city on the planet. ‘Master Windu, please, let us have a council.’ ‘Get away from my room!’ They’re outside in the parking lot, chanting. Jesus, these people are adults. Stop it.'”

Mace Windu Is One Of Star Wars’ Most Important Jedi

Despite his relatively limited screen time in the Star Wars prequels, Mace Windu is still one of the franchise’s most important Jedi. He wasn’t just a member of the Jedi High Council – he was elected to be its leader before Yoda eventually took over. As Master of the Order, Windu was essentially the Jedi Council’s envoy, responsible for liaising with individual Jedi Knights, politicians, and other non-Republic star systems and their leadership. Given Mace’s rigid stance on Jedi tradition, politics, and the dark side, he influenced the Jedi’s fate to a great extent – for better and for worse.

Historically speaking, Mace Windu has a longer legacy within Star Wars than you might think. A version of his name, “Mace Windy,” first appeared in a concept document George Lucas drafted for Star Wars in 1973 тιтled “Journal of the Whills.” When Lucas initially envisioned the character, Windy was meant to be a leading protagonist, a “revered Jedi-bendu of Ophuchi” with a “padawaan learner” known as C.J. Thorpe.

Of course, the final version of the original Star Wars movie, which was later reтιтled A New Hope, was vastly different from that first rough outline, though certain ideas, like the Guardians of the Whills, the Bendu, Padawan learners, and even Mace Windu, all made it into the lore, one way or another. Mace Windu may have been killed by Darth Sidious in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, but his and Samuel L. Jackson’s legacies are forever a part of the Star Wars franchise.

Mace Windu

Created By

George Lucas

Cast

Samuel L. Jackson

First Appearance

Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace

Died

Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith

Alliance

Jedi

Race

Human

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