Warning: SPOILERS for The Book of Boba Fett episode 1.

We haven’t seen Mace Windu for a long time, but fans are theorizing that we will get to see him again in Disney+’s The Book of Boba Fett. Mace Windu last appeared in The Rise of Skywalker with a host of previous Jedis.

He can be seen when Rey is down for the count and hears the previous Jedi voices addressing her. Before this, Samuel L. Jackson’s Mace Windu’s last release-wise appearance was in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. As for his last chronologic appearance, that was in Revenge of the Sith.

The Jedi Master with the purple lightsaber was a major part of the Star Wars prequel trilogy. However, even though Samuel L. Jackson delivered a stunning performance and his character shared several scenes with Kenobi, Anakin, and Yoda; there wasn’t any mention of him in the Star Wars original movies.

Mace Windu is considered one of the very best Jedis from the Prequel saga. But the reason there wasn’t any mention of him in the original movies is because of his death in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith.

His death marked a critical moment of the movie because this inficially started Anakin’s descent into darkness. Even though Mace Windu was just in the Prequel films and not at all in the Original Trilogy, he could still show up in The Book of Boba Fett’s post-Return of the Jedi timeline.

After all, Darth Maul was declared dead in The Phantom Menace. Boba Fett was thought to have died in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi and Palpatine’s whole body died in that movie, too. But all of them showed up in later projects.

As such, it wouldn’t be completely wrong to predict that Mace Windu could very well have survived his own death. With multiple characters from the original movies, animated shows, and Prequel films returning in the upcoming Disney+ Star Wars shows, it’s possible that Mace Windu too, could show up in the currently airing Book of Boba Fett show.

Mace Windu’s Star Wars History With Bounty Hunters Jango Fett And Boba Fett

Boba Fett was just a teenager when Mace Windu was seen alive for the last time. But in no way does this indicate that Windu’s comeback is impossible. It has been about 30 years, or 28 to be exact, since Jedi Master Windu ‘died’ in the Star Wars timeline.

This is a couple of years after Jango Fett, Boba’s father was murdered by Mace Windu in Attack of the Clones. The second movie in the Prequel series was Jango’s solo film appearance. But there he played the significant role of a bounty hunter who was in leagues with the Sith.

Kenobi and the Jedi council, along with Windu, found out through Jango’s part in Padme’s assassination plot that the Sith had recruited him to be the only template for their clone army. He kept one such clone for himself, and that was Boba Fett.

Later, Jango captured Padme and Anakin Skywalker when they attempted to rescue Kenobi, leading Windu to plan an attack on him to save the duo. In the ensuing fight, Fett decided to attack Windu, and even tried to get his lightsaber out.

But while escaping his jetpack malfunctioned and Windu destroyed his blaster and decapitated him. In Attack of the Clones, Boba picked up Jango’s Mandalorian helmet after the battle was done. He vowed to avenge his father by killing Windu.

Boba tried to murder Windu several times in The Clone Wars, but he was unsuccessful. Later, the Jedi Master got murdered by Palpatine and Anakin later, so he never really could avenge his father.

However, there was an initial draft of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith where Boba would have killed Windu. But the question right now is:

Is Mace Windu Still Alive?

How He Might Have Survived Star Wars: Revenge Of The Sith?

Coming back from the dead in Star Wars isn’t that big of a deal. Multiple characters who at first seemed to have died in really conclusive ways were brought back. As such, Mace Windu too, can join the ranks of these characters.

His death in Revenge of the Sith took place after he had already been shocked by Emperor Palpatine. After that, he used his saber to deflect that Force Lightning straight back to the dark lord himself.

Then Anakin showed up and sided with the Emperor, thus cutting off Mace Windu’s lightsaber arm. After that, Palpatine electrocuted the Jedi, which pushed him out of the window.

Now, Windu’s death hasn’t been confirmed on-screen. Technically that is. As such, there is a little window of doubt that could convey his survival. Sure, he was pushed out of that building, but it’s possible that Windu used the one hand he had left along with his Jedi powers to safely escape after landing.

We have no confirmation of his body hitting the ground and this incident hasn’t been talked about by any remaining Imperial or Jedi Forces. As such, it’s possible that Mace Windu could have lived and then gone into hiding. It’s also possible that he could have been found and then helped by an unknown citizen.

After the first episode of The Book of Boba Fett was released, there was a theory by SlashFilm that Windu didn’t just survive his assumed death on Coruscant, but that he was going to come back for a showdown with Boba in upcoming episodes of the show.

The Book Of Boba Fett Sets Up Mace Windu’s Return

As per the site, episode 1 of the Disney+ show set up Mace Windu’s return when it showed the flashback to Jango’s death. In the flashback scene, we saw Boba holding Jango’s Mandalorian helmet.

But according to SlashFilm, there isn’t much merit in starting the show with this moment. As such, there is going to be a bigger reason to come back to this moment.

It was recently revealed that the flashback moment was a combination of using archived footage as well as reshooting the scene. This suggests that the scene is being used to highlight Boba’s present story as well, other than just serving as a reminder of his father Jango’s death.

Samuel L. Jackson Believes That Mace Windu Survived

SlashFilm also mentioned that Mace Windu’s actor Samuel L. Jackson believed that his character survived that fall from the window. This is quite similar to how Boba himself survived in the Sarlacc Pit.

Jackson thinks that the Jedi don’t die even after falling from incredible heights. This is something that he mentioned to George Lucas and Lucas agreed with him. Thus, even as per the architect of the Star Wars universe, Windu can indeed be alive.

So if we consider George Lucas’ approval regarding Jackson’s theory about Windu true, then the man can indeed be alive. Along with this, SlashFilm said that Jackson wanted to reprise his role in the Star Wars universe.

So if he still feels the same, then it shouldn’t have been too difficult to convince him for an appearance in The Book of Boba Fett. Back in July 2021, Jackson used the “Mace ain’t done” hashtag for an Instagram post. This was long after season 2 of The Mandalorian was done.

However, it needs to be noted that if he is indeed in The Book of Boba Fett, then Lucasfilm surely wouldn’t want him to broadcast it without this info being officially released by them first.

On the other hand, it needs to be said that no one can dictate Samuel L. Jackson regarding anything. Not even Lucasfilm.

Even though Jackson coming back to Star Wars will be a difficult thing to keep under wraps, we need to remember that Lucasfilm is pretty excellent at keeping secrets.

One needs to look no further than Mark Hamill’s Luke Skywalker showing up during The Mandalorian season 2’s finale. As such, Mace Windu’s comeback would be an amazing twist and something that, frankly, could happen.

It certainly doesn’t seem outrageous after they could get Mark Hamill to do a cameo. However, we are sure that if Lucasfilm is planning this, then they would want to keep it a complete secret.

Several Star Wars, Clone Wars and Prequel movie characters have gotten a second chance on the Disney+ Star Wars TV shows. And Mace Windu is a significant Jedi who didn’t really get a satisfying death.

The Book Of Boba Fett Needs You To Pack A Punch

So before Ahsoka Tano leads her own Disney+ show, it’s quite possible that she could have reconnected with one of her hidden Jedi friends/colleagues, Mace Windu. He could have been in hiding and the two of them might have helped each other in secret.

The Book of Boba Fett has just aired one episode till now and we don’t know about its overarching purpose. But it needs to be said that if the show wants to pack as strong a punch as The Mandalorian did, then it needs something more.

Basically, it needs an overarching purpose that’s also captivating and will act as a hook for the audience. Right now, the only main unresolved plot in Boba’s story is with Mace Windu.

It’s clear that Windu would be able to recognize Jango Fett’s Mandalorian armor instantly, even after 3 decades.

Mace Windu Shouldn’t Come Back In The Book Of Boba Fett

Mace Windu’s return will surely send shockwaves through Star Wars fandom. His return will add on to the heavily present father-son dynamics in Star Wars, since Boba will still surely want to get revenge for his father’s death.

However, this Disney+ show and that too, this specific timeline doesn’t require a “they survived” gimmick. Boba’s return in season 2 of The Mandalorian was new and exciting. It helped him get his own show.

However, Jedi Master Mace Windu’s return would imply that he is going to be more present from then onwards. But that isn’t realistic. Also, Samuel L. Jackson will have to commit to this and he doesn’t have the time to give another franchise.

After all, he is busy with Disney+ MCU shows where he will be reprising the role of Nick Fury. So Mace Windu coming back will be a surprising and yet fun twist reveal.

However, it would also completely overshadow whatever story they are trying to tell in The Book of Boba Fett, with Boba taking over his father’s criminal empire.

Ahsoka Tano, and, more importantly, Luke Skywalker’s return in season 2 of The Mandalorian felt organic. Not to mention that they helped set up the returns of various other Star Wars characters in the timeline.

However, their presence didn’t overwhelm the entire emotional crux as well as the importance of Grogu and Din Djarin’s story. Overall, one should expect The Book of Boba Fett to reference Mace Windu since he did kill Jango Fett.

However, he doesn’t need to physically come back simply because not every dead character has to return.

The Book of Boba Fett streams Wednesdays on Disney+.

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