Highlights
Mace Windu's character in Star Wars has a lot of untapped potential, but he has been notably absent from events after Revenge of the Sith.
Fans speculate about the possibility of Mace Windu's survival, as his death was not conclusively verified with physical remains. Nevertheless, the likelihood of Samuel L. Jackson reprising the character seems low.
Although Mace Windu has managed to survive in Star Wars narratives set in alternate realities, fans should not anticipate his return to the primary storyline. Several other Star Wars endeavors have been developed and concluded without featuring him, implying that his destiny has been definitively sealed.
Despite the potential, the character of Mace Windu was not thoroughly explored, remaining absent in events after Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith. Fans, however, continue to theorize that he is still alive, even though his demise was implied in the film's climax. This belief stems from the cinematic rule that without confirmation of a character's death, they may still be alive. Nonetheless, it is unlikely that Samuel L. Jackson, or any actor, will return as Mace Windu in the Star Wars franchise. Rather, audiences are more likely to see Jackson reprise his role as Nick Fury in Marvel productions multiple times before witnessing him wield the purple lightsaber again.
What Happened to Mace Windu?
Mace Windu experienced a significant fall. Essentially, at the conclusion of the Clone Wars, the Jedi learned that Chancellor Palpatine, who was secretly a Sith Lord, had orchestrated events to seize ultimate power over the Galactic Republic. Mace Windu led a group of Jedi to confront him and thwart his schemes. This encounter not only showcased Windu's iconic purple lightsaber, but it also marked the first time viewers witnessed Darth Sidious wielding a lightsaber himself. Despite his unorthodox fighting style, Sidious managed to defeat Kit Fisto, Saesee Tiin, and Agen Kolar, leaving only Mace Windu standing.
It became clear that Mace was more resilient and unyielding than Palpatine had anticipated. Mace nearly succeeded in killing Palpatine if it weren't for the intervention of Anakin Skywalker. When young Skywalker arrived at the Chancellor's office, Mace Windu had him cornered with his lightsaber, pleading for mercy. Unfortunately, Palpatine had ensnared Anakin's mind, convincing him that he possessed the power to save his beloved, Padme. To fulfill this goal, Anakin needed Palpatine to remain alive.
After a momentary internal conflict, Anakin activated his lightsaber and disarmed Master Windu, solidifying his allegiance to Palpatine as Darth Vader. Capitalizing on the situation, the Chancellor unleashed a final blow of Force lightning, hurling Windu out of the shattered window and seemingly ensuring his demise. Yet, considering the survival of both Jedi and non-Jedi individuals against more severe assaults, one wonders: why couldn't Mace Windu survive?
Why Mace Windu Isn't Returning
Unfortunately, Mace Windu's only chance to survive and continue his battles lies in the Star Wars: Visions alternate reality. Serving as the "What If..." scenario for the franchise, Visions introduces an aged and visually impaired Jedi master. Although Visions presents a potential outcome where Mace Windu could have lived through an encounter involving a headbutt on Coruscant's streets, his return to the main storyline seems unlikely. It is not a matter of whether he survived or not. If filmmakers intended to bring him back, he would have reappeared in action by now.
While the saying "no body, no death" remains valid, numerous opportunities have come and gone that could have shed light on Mace Windu's current status within the Star Wars universe. The Obi-Wan Kenobi series, for instance, showcased the remains of several fallen Jedi, excluding Mace Windu, granting some support to the idea that he is alive. However, considering his absence from Rebels, Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Mandalorian, and the forthcoming Ahsoka series, it is reasonably safe to assume that if he has not made an appearance yet, he will never return.
Fans can only hope for a prequel series featuring a younger version of Mace Windu or his appearance in an animated show like Tales of the Jedi. It is truly disappointing that Samuel L. Jackson's character won't have the opportunity to return to the galaxy far, far away after his fall, especially considering that other characters have survived similar fates. Darth Maul made a comeback despite being literally split in half, and Boba Fett managed to survive being consumed by the Sarlaac Pit. Yet, a formidable Jedi Master like Mace Windu, who is arguably as powerful as Yoda, couldn't withstand a bit of Force lightning and a long fall.
One interesting factor that sparked numerous fan theories about Mace Windu's survival is the fact that Samuel L. Jackson discussed the idea with George Lucas, and Lucas gave his approval. Unfortunately for Mace Windu, neither Jackson nor Lucas hold any influence in the production of Lucasfilm projects. While Lucas can share his ideas, it is solely for discussion purposes, much to the dismay of countless fans.
It would be great to witness the emergence of an older and more experienced Mace from his hiding. There are unexplored aspects of his character, like his mastery of the Dark Side abilities, that hold potential for further exploration. Regrettably, it appears that his fate is ultimately sealed.