"Second baddest Jedi in the universe": How Samuel L. Jackson convinced George Lucas to give him a purple lightsaber in Star Wars

Before the release of the Star Wars prequel movies, fans only knew of the standard lightsaber colors, which were Red for Sith, Green and Blue for Jedis.

It was an established formula. That is until Samuel L. Jackson picked up his purple lightsaber Mace Windu in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones. Jackson shared that he wanted to look different from other Jedis in the movie and it was on Jackson’s request that George Lucas created the purple lightsaber.

While appearing on The Graham Norton Show, Jackson recalled,

“We had this big arena fight scene with all these Jedi and they're fighting or whatever, and I was like, well, s***, I want to be able to find myself in this big ole scene, so I said to George, 'You think maybe I can get a purple lightsaber?' And he was like, 'Lightsabers are green or lightsabers are red.'"

"'Yeah, but I want a purple one. I'm like the second baddest Jedi in the universe next to Yoda.' He said, 'Let me think about it.'”

Jackson continued,

“And when I came back to do reshoots, he said, 'I'm gonna show you something. It's already caused a s***storm online.' And he had the purple lightsaber. And I was like yeah… So I could find myself in that big fight scene … There are like 300 lightsabers …There I am right there.”

The distinguished Master Windu on the Jedi Council is one of the few Jedis in Star Wars who has a purple lightsaber.

Samuel L. Jackson as Mace Windu in Star Wars

Mace Windu first appeared in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. He is a Jedi master who served in the Jedi Council. Mace Windu was known for his wisdom and was considered second to Yoda.

In The Phantom Menace, Mace is reluctant to accept young Anakin Skywalker (played by Jake Lloyd) as the Chosen One, a Jedi prophecy that spoke about the one who will bring balance to the Force. Even though Jedi Qui-Gon Jinn (played by Liam Neeson) wanted Anakin to be trained, Mace denied his request. Anakin’s training continued, but Mace never stopped doubting him.

In Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith, when Mace Windu learns about Supreme Chancellor Palpatine’s (played by Ian McDiarmid) identity as Sith Lord Darth Sidious, he confronts him. He has an intense duel with Darth Sidious and Anakin Skywalker (played by Hayden Christensen), who was already on the path to become Darth Vader. Anakin severs Mace’s arm and Darth Sidious uses force lighting to push Mace through the window, as he falls to death.

Many fans have continued to debate that Mace Windu could be alive in the Star Wars Universe. Jackson joined Hayden Christensen at a special 20th-anniversary screening of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. Jackson said to the roaring audience,

“I hope you enjoy the effort that went into this and watching me do my 'I move almost all backwards' fight with Palpatine… Before my unexpected exit. And for the record — Mace lives!"

Whether we will see Jackson as Mace Windu in the Star Wars universe again remains to be seen.

Also Read: Bix getting revenge on Dr. Gorst is one of the most satisfying moments from Andor Season 2

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