Director of several episodes of The Mandalorian Bryce Dallas Howard has shockingly revealed that she has spoken with Lucasfilm about a potential Mace Windu spin-off. Mace Windu is one of Star Wars’ most powerful Jedi, and he made a splash by introducing a brand-new addition to lightsaber colors in Star Wars with his purple lightsaber. Sadly, his Star Wars story seemingly came to an end in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith when Palpatine sent him flying out a window. Some fans have long argued that Mace lives, though, and evidently, that’s still on the table.
Speaking to The Direct, Mandalorian director Bryce Dallas Howard shared that she has spoken to Lucasfilm about an interest in creating a Mace Windu spin-off before. She explained:
“…I went straight to Dave Filoni, and I was like, ‘So, let’s just talk about Mace Windu and where he is. Can we just talk about this? Because, is he ᴅᴇᴀᴅ? Is he?'”
The same article shared that Mace Windu actor Samuel L. Jackson has previously expressed an interest in such a return as well—with Bryce Dallas Howard, no less:
“There’s a huge history of people with one hand returning in Star Wars… 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,’ so, ‘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.”
With both Bryce Dallas Howard and Samuel L. Jackson evidently on board with a Mace Windu return and interested in working with each other on that potential project, the question remains: Would Star Wars ever really give us a Mace Windu spin-off?
How Likely Is A Mace Windu Spin-Off, Really?
There’s Certainly Interest In The Fanbase
If anything has become clear about Star Wars movies and TV shows over the last few years, it’s arguably that they’re nearly impossible to predict. Not long ago, both Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen reprised their roles as Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker, which for a long time felt like little more than wishful thinking. Even recent announcements, such as Ryan Gosling’s movie Star Wars: Starfighter, have come as major surprises.
With that being said, a Mace Windu spin-off certainly isn’t off the table. Star Wars has done much more shocking things, particularly since Disney bought Star Wars. The fact that Bryce Dallas Howard seems interested in signing on as a director, Samuel L. Jackson is clearly willing, and even fans have expressed wanting to see Mace Windu’s return, it feels more possible than ever.
Our Take On A Possible Mace Windu Spin-Off
Mace Windu And Samuel L. Jackson Both Deserve More Time
This would undoubtedly be a polarizing decision (as are most things in this franchise, unfortunately), with some celebrating Samuel L. Jackson’s return and others arguing that Star Wars needs to move on. For my part, I think both the character and the actor have earned a return. Samuel L. Jackson has maintained a love and respect for this character more than 20 years after he was first introduced in Star Wars, and that alone deserves recognition.
Mace Windu was also arguably underutilized in the prequel trilogy, which only has me more convinced that he should get another chance in this franchise. There is so much more backstory regarding Mace Windu’s skill, his complex straddling of the light and the dark side, and some of his more surprising actions on the Jedi Council, especially in the books, all of which a spin-off could explore. While we may never see a Mace Windu spin-off, it’s amazing to know The Mandalorian’s director, Bryce Dallas Howard, is open to it.
Source: The Direct