Who says rules are always meant to be followed? As any die-hard Star Wars fan knows, George Lucas had strict guidelines for the colors of lightsabers in the iconic sci-fi franchise. Jedi was typically assigned blue or green lightsabers, while Sith was given red lightsabers.
However, Samuel L. Jackson, 75, who took on the role of Mace Windu in the prequel trilogy, chose to throw those rules out the window. For the unversed, Mace Windu is portrayed as a Jedi Master who serves on the High Council in the last years of the Galactic Republic in the Star Wars universe.
In a bold decision that enraptured fans and impressed Jackson himself, the actor requested a purple lightsaber for his character. This move not only broke Lucas’ long-standing rule but also introduced a new and aesthetically striking dimension to the Star Wars universe.
George Lucas’ Star Wars Rulebook: How Samuel L. Jackson Made an Exception
Being the only Jedi in the Star Wars universe with a purple lightsaber makes Jedi Master Mace Windu stand out. But things were not always like this. Indeed, Samuel L. Jackson deviated from George Lucas’s prescribed rules regarding the meaning of lightsaber colors.
At first, it was easy to abide by the rules. Because Jedi were the good guys, their lightsabers emitted a blue or green glow. Of course, Sith had to have the red ones, since they were the villains. But Samuel L. Jackson had one thing to say to Lucas as the Battle of Geonosis in Star Wars: Attack of the Clones was coming together (via CBR).
Hundreds of Jedi fought an equal number of droids in the battle, and the actor found it hard to keep track of Mace Windu. His solution was succinct and well-mannered. The purpose of giving Mace Windu a purple lightsaber was to help distinguish him from the other Jedi. Lucas initially balked at the idea since it went against his rules, but in the end, he gave in.
A video of Jackson requesting a purple lightsaber was posted to Reddit by user u/EKRB7. Lucas mentioned nonchalantly that the good guys get blue or green lightsabers, while the bad guys get red ones. The True Romance actor’s innocuous inquiry, “No purple lightsaber?” paid off when Lucas suggested he might receive a purple lightsaber.
Jackson’s ecstatic expression is one that is worth repeatedly seeing. And that was it—the rules were broken.
Fans’ Love for George Lucas’ Rule-Breaking Choice for Samuel L. Jackson
Jedi Master Mace Windu rose to fame as the first Jedi to wield a purple lightsaber, but George Lucas was not overly concerned about the concept, as we previously discussed. Lucas was not a fan of the idea of a purple lightsaber, as the Star Wars prequel star and Jedi Master Samuel L. Jackson revealed in an interview with MTV News:
“Every ‘Star Wars’ has its own thing. Even George changed stuff, and when I asked him for a purple lightsaber, he was like: ‘no, lightsabers are two colours’. But what Samuel L. Jackson wants, Samuel L. Jackson gets… and it seems he was able to give Lucas some pretty good reasons…And then next thing I know, he gave me a purple lightsaber.”
The purple lightsaber that Mace Windu wielded was a contentious addition at first, but it quickly became one of the Jedi Master’s distinguishing features. Additionally, it has become a fan favorite since the Star Wars prequels.
It appears that Jackson was able to convince Lucas to change his mind, despite the latter’s initial resistance. And the lightsaber proceeded to create history. The moment Mace Windu ignited his distinctive ‘purple’ weapon on screen was met with gasps of surprise and awe from fans, and the decision quickly became a beloved and iconic moment in the franchise.
Let us hear what fans have to say via X:
Samuel L Jackson was lethal with that light saber bruh. Killed Daddy Fett with finesse.
— JAYTOVEN OF HOUSE IΔΔ. (@REALjayDOTwill) July 14, 2020
I would like Samuel L Jackson's purple light saber too because it's special
— Lady gaga's Alexander McQueens (@gigi_likespizza) June 21, 2021
Thank Samuel L Jackson cus he told George Lucas he wanted his light Saber to be purple, shit wouldn't be here without him#AnimeAfterDarkCH pic.twitter.com/QVeT124o0Q
— I.N.O aka KangVariantToniToniStarkBLM (@Kang_V_Stark) May 5, 2023
The look on Samuel L Jackson face when he asked for a purple light saber is GOLD 😂 pic.twitter.com/jaxiYAvIbJ
— Javier Ballesteros (@cyberhustler1) February 12, 2020
Mace Windu is trending cuz people hating on him so I thought I would share my opinion on him.
Mace Windu is awesome! he is one of my favourite Jedi played by one of my favourite actors of all time ( Samuel L. Jackson ) plus his light saber is the reason purple is my fav color. pic.twitter.com/o9VQMCbf8e
— Lunará ará🐲Void Dragon💜VTuber💜Content Creator💜 (@lunara_ara) September 29, 2022
Mace Windu, played by Samuel L Jackson is the only black Jedi & was the only Jedi able to obtain the dark side fighting style without becoming evil & the only Jedi with a purple light saber. It’s giving Crown Chakra. Melanated God https://t.co/cjjEDGANz0
— Tori Nicks 2.0 (@MajestyRia) October 21, 2023
It was a moment that sent ripples of excitement across the fandom; after all, who could forget the buzz that filled the theater when Jackson’s character, Mace Windu, first lit up the iconic purple lightsaber? We couldn’t!
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