Mace Windu Biography

Physical Description:

Species: Human

Homeworld: Haruun Kal (not canon)

Gender: Male

Height: 6’-3”

Eye Color: Brown

Biography:

   Within the official Disney Canon nothing is known about Mace Windu before his time in the Jedi, however in the expanded universe there is more information. He was born in 72 BBY on the planet Haruun Kal. At a young age he had an affinity for the force and was sent off to train with the Jedi. 

    Windu was known by many as a very traditional Jedi. He was promoted to the Jedi council and sought to maintain tradition and stability within the order. He doubted Qui Gon Jinn's belief that the Sith had returned up until the Jedi died fighting Darth Maul. Windu also thought little of Jinn’s belief that Anakin Skywalker was the chosen one and despite him showing great ability with the force, Windu denied Qui Gon’s request to train Anakin Skywalker as he believed the boy was too old to begin learning the ways of the force. This initial lack of faith in Skywalker’s ability cast a shadow over their relationship for the years to come.

    As the Separatist crisis grew within the galaxy, Windu warned Chancellor Palpatine that the Jedi were not strong enough to defend the Republic alone. Windu’s traditional background blinded him to the fact that Count Dooku, a former Jedi, would stoop so low as to attempt an assassination on Senator Padmé Amidala. However, Windu eventually heeded Master Yoda’s warning about the growth of the dark side and the threat that posed to the Galaxy. 

    When the Separatist aligned Geonosins captured Obi Wan, Skywalker, and Padmé, Windu was forced to act. He traveled to Geonosis with a strike team of jedi and began battling through Dooku’s droid army, making his way to their cell. Though it was clear that he was losing, Windu refused to give up and surrender. The arrival of Yoda and the Clone army saved Windu’s life however it was not necessarily a happy victory. The galaxy was now at war and the once peaceful Jedi were now taking up positions as generals and military tacticians. 

    Windu’s main role during the war was that of an advisor. He spent most of his time in Coruscant, making battle plans and punishing Jedi who refused to follow orders and put the safety of their commanders and troops at risk. He was vocal in his beliefs and often fought against the opinions of Chancellor Palpatine, whom he was beginning to distrust. Despite spending most of his time in the temple during the war, when he did take the field Windu proved himself to be a formidable ally to the republic. He successfully led a battalion of troops during the Battle to Retake Ryloth, and personally captured Wat Tambor, the Separatist leader who’d been tormenting the planet and its inhabitants. 

    When Palpatine requested that Anakin Skywalker become a Jedi council member, serving as his representative within the order, Windu vocally opposed it. He believed this would make Palpatine too powerful. He proposed that if Palpatine failed to step down from his position as leader of the Senate after the defeat of General Grievous, the last remaining Separatist leader, then the Jedi should remove him from office and take control of the Senate. 

    Once he learned that Chancellor Palpatine was the Sith lord Darth Sidious he saw that the future of the Jedi was in jeopardy and sought to arrest him. Just as it seemed that Windu had defeated the Sith Lord, Anakin struck down Windu, slicing off his arm and saving Sidious’s life. Sidious took this opportunity and hit Windu with force lightning, sending him plummeting to his death and ending the Jedi’s impressive life.

Lightsaber:

    Mace Windu is perhaps most well known for his iconic purple lightsaber. He is the only character in Star Wars canon to wield a lightsaber of that color. Other than its striking color, the saber is no different from any other. 

Fighting Style:

    Mace Windu used a variation of Form VII called Vaapad. Vaapad is more than a fighting style, it is a lifestyle. Its users are known to enjoy the fight and must relish the satisfaction of winning. They use the rage of their opponents to fuel their own fight. Vaapad is the closest Jedi fighting style to the dark side due to the rage inherent in the style. It requires a steady stream of the force and focuses on close range, violent attacks.