Dave Filoni And Bryce Dallas Howard Discuss A Mace Windu Spinoff

Star Wars

Jul 12

Mace Windu remains one of the most beloved and enigmatic figures in the Star Wars saga. Despite his dramatic demise in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, the avid desire amongst both fans and, crucially, the actor himself, Samuel L. Jackson, has never waned. Adding fuel to the fire, recent discussions between Lucasfilm Chief Creative Officer Dave Filoni and Star Wars Television director, Bryce Dallas Howard, have hinted at the growing possibility of a Mace Windu spinoff, prompting widespread excitement and speculation.

Samuel L. Jackson’s deep connection to Mace Windu began with the notable request to George Lucas for the iconic purple lightsaber. The distinctive colour served to set the Jedi Master apart from the crowd of blue and green blades. Jackson explained his reasoning, stating that as the second most powerful Jedi after Yoda, Windu merited a unique identifier. This personal investment in the character has only grown over the years. Jackson portrayed Windu from 1999 to 2005, and though May marked twenty years since his character’s last live-action appearance, the actor has remained certain in his belief that Mace Windu survived his fall from Palpatine’s office.

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Mace Windu — Image Source: Theory Sabers

Following Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm in 2012, Jackson wasted no time in expressing his interest in reprising the role, even suggesting a return as a Force spirit for The Force Awakens in 2015. Ten years later, and he is still interested in the return of Windu, in a recent quote about discussions with Bryce Dallas Howard, Jackson states:

“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.”

This public discussion has ignited public excitement, clearly showcasing Samuel L. Jackson’s genuine enthusiasm for the role as well as a willingness to create from both the actor and potential director. Adding to this anticipation, Jackson’s brief vocal cameo in The Rise of Skywalker serves as a potent reminder that both the character and the actor remain integral parts of the Star Wars universe.

Bryce Dallas Howard has emerged as a pivotal figure in these discussions. Her directorial acclaim within Star Wars television is well-established and highly regarded. As of this article, she has directed five critically acclaimed episodes across The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, and The Skeleton Crew. Beyond her directorial success, Howard shares a professional relationship with Samuel L. Jackson, having recently worked with him on the film, Argylle.

Though the film received a mixed reception, their existing rapport undoubtedly facilitates the kind of candid discussions about a Mace Windu return that Jackson himself has campaigned for. Moreover, Howard has been vocally passionate about the prospect of directing a Star Wars movie and anything featuring a certain purple lightsaber-wielding Jedi, a topic she recently explored during an appearance on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast with Josh Horowitz:

“Sam Jackson has been incredibly supportive of me and has told me many times that he would act in something that I directed … And then I like 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?'”

While she has primarily directed documentaries for feature films (Dads and Pets), her extensive television experience within the Star Wars universe positions her uniquely for a potentially large-scale project. Her expressed desire to collaborate with Jackson in a Star Wars context further strengthens the narrative for a Windu-focused story.

Dave Filoni, as the Lucasfilm Chief Creative Officer, holds immense influence over the direction of the Star Wars narrative. His personal history with the franchise, famously dressing up as a Jedi Master for the opening of Revenge of the Sith (Jackson’s last live-action appearance as Windu), speaks volumes about his reverence for the saga. While his specific opinions on a Mace Windu return remain largely unpublicised, the fact that he and Howard have engaged in discussions about Samuel L. Jackson reprising his role is incredibly significant. Filoni is known for his ability to expand upon existing lore while simultaneously honouring the legacy of the original saga, making him an ideal steward for potentially bringing back a character like Mace Windu. His involvement suggests any such project would be handled with care and deep respect for the character’s history.

The character of Mace Windu himself offers rich storytelling potential. Not seen in live-action since his confrontation with Palpatine before Order 66, there is considerable interest in exploring his origin story and journey to becoming one of the most powerful Jedi Masters. However, any discussion of a Mace Windu spinoff must address certain limitations. The most glaring is Samuel L. Jackson’s age. At 76, a direct continuation of Mace Windu’s story as a young man in live-action poses as a logistical challenge.

Unlike the Obi-Wan Kenobi series, where Ewan McGregor’s natural aging perfectly aligned with the character’s progression towards becoming an older, solitary figure, Mace Windu died as a relatively young man. This disparity makes a direct live-action prequel challenging unless extensive de-aging technology is employed, which, of course, is costly and may lead to “uncanny valley” accusations. Another point of consideration is the critical and commercial performance of Jackson’s other recent Disney+ series, Secret Invasion, which did not fare well. While unrelated to Star Wars, it highlights the importance of a strong narrative and execution for any new venture involving high-profile actors.

Despite these hurdles, the possibility of an animated series offers an elegant solution to the age concern. An animated format could allow Jackson to voice the character without the constraints of live-action aging, potentially exploring Windu’s earlier years or even his survival and life in hiding. Given Dave Filoni’s background in animation (Avatar: The Last Airbender) and his success with The Clone Wars and Rebels, an animated project seems like a natural fit.

In conclusion, the prospect of a Mace Windu spinoff, propelled by Samuel L. Jackson’s passionate advocacy and discussed by key creative figures like Bryce Dallas Howard and Dave Filoni, remains a thrilling possibility for all Star Wars fans. While the challenges, particularly concerning live-action portrayal, are evident, the potential for an animated series or a creative workaround offers promising avenues.