Why ‘Book Of Boba Fett’ Would Be The Perfect Place For Mace Windu To Show Up Again
One of the most interesting characters in the Star Wars prequel trilogy is Mace Windu. He is the head of the Jedi Council, has a cool purple lightsaber (which, really, only came about because actor Samuel L. Jackson requested something different), and is a big part of the reason why Anakin betrays the Jedi and joins Palpatine.
Like many of these peripheral characters in the Star Wars universe, we do not learn too much about him. These characters are absolute. They are introduced to serve a function in support of the main characters. Disney is now exploring several of these peripheral characters through various television series.
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As we know, in popular culture, nobody is really dead. Obi-Wan Kenobi cuts Darth Maul in half in The Phantom Menace. That would seem as final as you get. However, he then reappears in The Clone Wars. His return is further legitimized through his appearance in Solo. If Maul can survive being sliced in half, Mace Windu could surely survive the loss of a hand, some Force-lightning, and being catapulted from a window.
What works against Mace’s resurrection is his absence from Star Wars media following his death. Darth Maul’s reappearance in The Clone Wars (as well as Solo) is not much later after his supposed demise in The Phantom Menace. On the other hand, Mace has been gone a long time (although, obviously, this is a construction of the original trilogy being made before the prequels), which would suggest his death is final.
Samuel L. Jackson, a Star Wars fan who had thanked George Lucas for the “privilege” of being made part of the Star Wars universe, joked that Mace Windu is still alive. Jackson talked about how Jedi can jump huge heights (addressing Windu’s fall) and how they can gain new appendages (addressing the loss of his hand). How much truth is behind the humor?
As a universe, Star Wars is all about rebirth. Anakin is killed, and Darth Vader is reborn in his place. You would think all the Sith go through such a transformation when they become a Sith Lord. Palpatine is reborn as the Emperor. On the Jedi side, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda are reborn as Force ghosts.
In The Book of Boba Fett, Boba Fett is reborn twice— once in the past among the Tusken Raiders, and then in the present as a crime lord. Fennec Shand is shot and left to die. Boba Fett finds her and rescues her. She is then then reborn as his friend, protector, and confidante.
What about Mace?
If he was reborn, what could be the scenario? It would have to address his long absence from Star Wars mythology. That in itself offers plenty of scope for an interesting story. Perhaps he is an amnesiac (a tried and true trope). He could be some crazed hermit who does not know who he is, but also displays “magic” (his Force abilities, although he would not realize this).
In The Book of Boba Fett, Boba assembles a motley bunch of allies. He comes in with Fennec Shand, but has also adopted the two Gamorrean guards. In the past story, he has become a ceremonial Tusken Raider. Given the challenges that Boba faces in a war with the Hutts, you would think that he is going to need more allies. The addition of Mace Windu would not only provide a nice twist, but also provide the Jedi Master with an opportunity for his own rebirth. We can also learn more about this man who was at the head of the Jedi Council.
Imagine it. Boba Fett seeks out a crazed wizard, who turns out to be Mace Windu. Mace has only scattered memories of the past. He is haunted by something. As he pieces together who he was, he is filled with regret. He could have stopped the birth of the Empire if he had just foreseen Anakin’s turn.
That might have greater ramifications. One of the complaints about Revenge of the Sith is that Anakin’s turn is relatively quick. Apparently, the novelization goes much deeper into how the Jedi are distrustful of Anakin, and how he bonds with Palpatine as a father figure, and thus feels closer to him.
Mace might realize the truth. As much as Vader was a product of Anakin’s hate and anger and desperation, Anakin himself was a product of the Jedi’s treatment of him. They alienated him. They did not invest their faith in him. Mace might recognize that had they treated Anakin as Qui-Gon would have, the narrative might have been different.
In Boba Fett, Mace might be presented with a similar choice. Here is a morally questionable man whose ambiguity is frightening. He is a cold and brutal killer, but there is something more to him. Perhaps with guidance, he could do some good. Mace could again be faced with a choice that parallels what happened with Anakin. Which way would Mace go this time?
By the end of the story, Mace might begin to remember who he is, which could also help launch his own series: a tale of Mace as a young man who becomes a Jedi.
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