Director of several episodes ofThe MandalorianBryce Dallas Howard has shockingly revealed that she has spoken with Lucasfilm about a potentialMace Winduspin-off. Mace Windu is one ofStar Wars’most powerful Jedi, and he made a splash by introducing a brand-new addition tolightsaber colors inStar Warswith his purple lightsaber. Sadly, hisStar Warsstory seemingly came to an end inStar Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sithwhen 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 toThe Direct,Mandaloriandirector Bryce Dallas Howard shared thatshe 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 dead? Is he?'”
The same article shared that Mace Windu actorSamuel 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:WouldStar Warsever 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 aboutStar Warsmovies and TV showsover 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 asRyan Gosling’s movieStar Wars: Starfighter, have come as major surprises.
With that being said,a Mace Windu spin-off certainly isn’t off the table.Star Warshas done much more shocking things, particularlysince Disney boughtStar 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 thatStar Warsneeds 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 inStar 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 aMace Winduspin-off, it’s amazing to knowThe Mandalorian’sdirector, Bryce Dallas Howard, is open to it.
