The Star Wars prequels were undeniably divisive, but pretty much everyone can agree that Samuel L. Jackson’s Mace Windu was a highlight. Unfortunately, his character’s story came to an end at the hands of Chancellor Palpatine when his true nature was revealed to the Galaxy. 

During a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, the site brought up recent comments from Jackson on Twitter in which he he explained that George Lucas decided to kill Windu in Revenge of the Sith because his death would mean much more than anyone else’s at that point. However, he also added that, “[In] my mind, I’m not dead! Jedi can fall incredibly high distances and not die.”

Asked if Windu could now show up in a future movie, Jackson said, “That would be fine by me.”

He added that after speaking to Lucas, the filmmaker agreed with his point of view that the Jedi Master could still be alive and well, though he did acknowledge that, “George doesn’t have anything to do with it anymore.”

Now, we just have to hope Lucasfilm decide to do something with Windu down the line, as there’s no denying that some sort of return would be a lot of fun to see. It’s hard to say if they will, of course, as that was one heck of a fall Windu ended up taking…

Click on the “Next” button below for our take
on why the Star Wars prequels beat the sequels!
 

10. They Told A Coherent Story

It feels like the legacy of the Star Wars sequels will revolve around the competing vision of two filmmakers – J.J. Abrams and Rian Johnson – both of whom played a game of one-upmanship, undoing the other’s work because they had their own specific ideas about what Star Wars should be. 

While the prequels featured a lot of peculiar creative decisions, George Lucas being the man in charge meant there was a cohesive story which had a beginning, middle, and end. 

Moments from The Phantom Menace paid off down the line (even if you occasionally had to struggle to find them), whereas it was impossible to watch The Rise of Skywalker without being befuddled by sudden U-Turns. Those include Supreme Leader Snoke suddenly being a creation of Emperor Palpatine and Rey’s parents going from nobodies to somebodies who were, uh, nobodies.
 

9. The Lightsaber Battles Ruled (Despite The OTT Choreography)

Yes, it was sometimes hard not to cringe watching the Jedi in the prequels unnecessarily spinning around for the umpteenth time in a single battle, while those flips were definitely a tad over the top. 

However, each of the major lightsaber battles felt like truly epic affairs with high stakes and edge of your seat action. Can the same really be said about the sequels? Rian Johnson expertly choreographed that battle aboard Snoke’s Star Destroyer, but when Abrams had Rey face down Kylo Ren, excitement was lacking, and the iconic weapons barely factored into his finale.

The sequel’s leads weren’t trained in a traditional way, but just like these movies overlooked what it really meant to be a Sith (was Kylo ever more than someone who was attuned to the Dark Side?), they also failed to deliver lightsaber battles which left a lasting impact of any sort. 
 

8. They Tied Into The Original Saga

Having already made the original movies, George Lucas obviously knew where he was heading with his prequels. The challenge of making the sequels was to create a new story, and while they did succeed in that respect, they ultimately failed to build on what came before in a satisfying manner. 

Han Solo and Leia Organa’s marriage fell apart after they failed their son. Lando Calrissian disappeared into the ether. R2-D2, uh, turned himself off. Oh, and most crushingly, Luke Skywalker was a broken down failure who never became a true Jedi Master and just went into hiding. 

Those aren’t the outcomes we wanted for any of the characters, and it’s not like they even ended up finding redemption for the most part. The prequels made us realise what sort of man Obi-Wan Kenobi was before ending up on Tatooine, while we also got to witness what led Anakin Skywalker down a dark path. The sequels, however, didn’t do the original films justice for the most part.
 

7. The Villains Were Better

Kylo Ren was a fantastic villain with a compelling story arc which, minus his death, had a satisfying ending. Unfortunately, the rest of the bad guys in the Star Wars sequels were a disappointment. 

Supreme Leader’s Snoke story went nowhere thanks to Rian Johnson’s decision to kill him off, while the mystery surrounding his identity boiled down to a throwaway moment in The Rise of Skywalker. General Hux, the Knights of Ren, and Allegiant General Pryde were completely forgettable for the most part, whereas the prequels delivered bad guys who left a lasting impact. 

There’s a reason fans still talk about General Grievous and Darth Maul (both of whom have gone on to take centre stage in animated TV shows), and while Count Dooku was hit and miss, Christopher Lee helped him excel. Oh, and Emperor Palpatine’s story arc was a million times better in those early movies than the clone with the inexplicable plan we got last year. 
 

6. There Was The Right Level Of Fan Service

While many of the criticisms were overly harsh, there’s no denying that The Force Awakens borrowed a little too much from A New Hope in terms of how the story played out. The Last Jedi, on the other hand, essentially told fans that what they wanted didn’t matter (which isn’t always a bad thing), but The Rise of Skywalker took fan-serve to a downright unbearable level. 

Lucasfiilm clearly felt that they needed to make things right with fans after some of the creative decisions made by Rian Johnson, but that led to them arguably making no one happy. 

The prequels, on the other hand, did deliver the moments we wanted to see as fans (Darth Vader’s transformation and how Emperor Palpatine got his deformed appearance, for example), and while that was undeniable fan-service, there was definitely just the right amount of it. Did we need to know how R2-D2 and C-3PO met? Nope, but it was more fun than the way Luke’s personality shifted from film to film.
 

5. The Ending Didn’t Suck

Whether you loved or hated it, it’s hard to deny that The Rise of Skywalker served as a mostly horrendous ending to the Skywalker Saga. Whether it’s the fact the entire Skywalker lineage ended in death and Rey Palpatine dubbing herself “Rey Skywalker” or the random return of Emperor Palpatine to the land of the living with zero explanation about how it happened.

Sure, Darth Vader’s cry of “Nooooooo!” was, well, awful, but the way the prequels ended didn’t really disappoint. We got to learn how Anakin Skywalker fell under the spell of the Emperor and learned what led to characters like Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda ending up where they did in the original trilogy. It wasn’t perfect, but it worked, and it didn’t leave a bad taste in our mouths! 

Unfortunately, it will take a while to get over how the Skywalker Saga ultimately reached its conclusion. 
 

4. There Weren’t A Million Unanswered Questions

For this point, you might be best off checking out our breakdown of The Rise of Skywalker‘s biggest unanswered questions! All done? Well, those barely scratch the surface, and it’s crazy to think just how many lingering plot threads these sequels left us with. 

Not everything needs to be neatly tied up, of course, and a certain level of ambiguity is a nice way of getting fans to wonder what happened next to these characters. This finale, however, failed to wrap up the story arcs of key characters, and felt like half a movie as a result. 

We’ll get into the long list of questions regarding Emperor Palpatine a little later, but you can’t say the prequels left us with as many dangling plot threads, and certainly not ones this infuriating! 
 

3. The Big Name Characters Got Their Due

As we mentioned a little earlier, where we picked up with characters like Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, and Han Solo in the sequels was downright depressing. The adventures we all imagined them having together came to an abrupt end, and their victory in Return of the Jedi was short-lived. 

No one said they had to have a happy ending, but man, what an ending for so many of our favourites!

On the plus side, the prequels, didn’t let down characters like Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, Yoda, or C-3PO. Instead, it added to their stories – not always in an effective way, mind you – and ultimately did them justice. We’ll address why that’s the case with Emperor Palpatine a little later, but they all fared better than the returning characters from the original trilogy. 
 

2. The Changes To The Force Worked

The concept of Midi-chlorians was so silly, that George Lucas had pretty much ditched the idea by the time Attack of the Clones rolled around. However, the ways he otherwise expanded on the Force did make sense, whether it was Yoda mentioning that Qui-Gon Jinn had mastered life after death or the effect the Dark Side had on Anakin Skywalker after his horrifying actions. 

The sequels also played around with the Force, but this time, the result were definitely mixed. 

Everything from Force Dyads to Wayfinders and the Dark Side were introduced in Disney’s Star Wars movies, but most of these ideas didn’t work. The concept of there being two Sith at one time (a Master and Apprentice) was randomly dropped, and the convoluted nonsense linking Kylo Ren and Rey in The Rise of Skywalker is definitely something that’s better off forgotten. 
 

1. Emperor Palpatine’s Plan Actually Made Sense

We alluded to this a little earlier, but when you go back and look at the prequels, Emperor Palpatine’s story arc did make a lot of sense. There was some dodgy acting and questionable decisions (we really didn’t need to see why he looked so ancient), but the story of him attempting to bring the Galaxy back under the control of the Sith alongside a powerful apprentice made sense. 

What about his role in the Star Wars sequels added up? Without looking to the novelisations and tie-in books for further context, all we know is that he somehow survived the events of Return of the Jedi in a clone body, and planned to have his granddaughter kill him so he could take over her body and then rule the Galaxy. Yes, that idea made it into an actual screenplay.

Getting into Supreme Leader Snoke’s role further muddies the water; was he an actual person Palpatine cloned and used as a pawn or just one of his own failed clones? Who the hell knows! 
 

Deadpool creator Rob Liefeld is outspoken at the best of times, and the legendary comic book writer and artist has now shared some very interesting thoughts on Wolverine’s Marvel Cinematic Universe future.

In 2017, Hugh Jackman walked away from the role of Wolverine after starring in Logan, and he’s insisted on a number of occasions that his time as the character has now reached its end. That’s certainly disappointing for fans who wanted to see his take on the clawed mutant in the MCU, but Liefeld seems confident it will eventually happen. 

“I’m stuck on Hugh Jackman,” he explained during a recent interview with Inverse. “Having met Hugh, having loved Hugh, there is only Deadpool because of Wolverine…I was doing Deadpool [in the comics] to get to Wolverine. Wolverine was always the goal. I can’t answer the question on Wolverine, I’m stuck on Hugh Jackman. I hope to God he comes back, I do.”

“He’s been seriously firm that he’s not going to be Wolverine, and I foolishly don’t believe him.”

Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds has pushed for Jackman to reprise the role, but it seems the Australian actor is instead far more interested in pursuing new projects moving forward. 

With that in mind, we’ll probably get to see a new Wolverine in the MCU, and there are a lot of exciting possibilities on that front. To see who we would choose, hit the “Next” button below!
 

10. Aldis Hodge – Magneto

Aldis Hodge has impressed in the likes of Black Mirror and The Invisible Man, and it definitely feels like his big break is fast approaching. With that in mind, a major superhero role feels like an inevitability, so why not give him a shot at playing the MCU’s Master of Magnetism? 

Unfortunately, the concept of Magneto being a Holocaust survivor no longer works (unless you’d like a geriatric version of the villain), so why not use an Erik who has faced a different sort of prejudice?

This would be far more in-keeping with today’s world and the themes in an X-Men movie, and we think it would be awesome to see Hodge initially playing a heroic Magneto before giving in to his darker impulses and embracing his future as a foe to Professor X and his team.
 

9. Bryan Cranston – Mister Sinister

Bray Cranston is one of the best actors working on the planet today, and he’s expressed interest in playing Mister Sinister a number of times in the past. Honestly, we can’t think of anyone better, and it’s not even remotely hard to imagine him playing one of the X-Men’s most unique bad guys. 

While we would be interested in seeing a heroic Magneto who helps lead the X-Men, this is a franchise in desperate need of a new villain, and Mister Sinister definitely fits the bill in that sense. There’s so much he could bring to the table (particularly in regards to exploring the genetics of mutants), and while we want a rebooted Apocalypse, for example, lets do something new first.

However, he definitely needs to be played by Cranston because he really would do the character justice.
 

8. Joseph Gordon-Levitt – Professor X

Go and Google “Joseph Gordon-Levitt Bald” and we think you’ll agree he would make a pretty good Professor X! Appearances aside, though, and there’s a lot The Dark Knight Rises star could bring to the table as the leader of this team of mutants. He’s incredibly talented, and someone who could bring new ideas to the table after James McAvoy’s memorable run. 

However, whereas the Scottish actor had to impersonate what had come before to some extent, Levitt could make the character his own (and bear in mind Charles Xavier is supposed to be American). 

In some ways, it’s tempting to say that maybe this reboot should move on from Professor X altogether, but a new, younger version could help ensure he remains a vital part of this franchise in the MCU.
 

7. Jon Bernthal – Wolverine

As you’ll soon see, we’ve gone a little younger when it comes to the rest of the X-Men, but Wolverine definitely shouldn’t be a guy in his twenties. Instead, he needs a little experience under his belt, and Jon Bernthal is the right choice of actor to bring that baggage to the table, while also putting his own stamp on a character who Hugh Jackman once made entirely his own. 

Visually, he’s perfect for the role, and at 5ft,11″ he’s pretty much the right size for the hero as well. 

Oh, and we know what you’re thinking: how can The Punisher play Wolverine? At this point, it would be naive to think that Marvel Studios is going to bring The Defenders into the MCU, so giving this talented actor the chance to play a totally different superhero badass just makes sense.
 

6. Coco Jones – Storm

Despite being perhaps best known for her work as a singer, Coco Kones has also landed a few memorable acting gigs over the years, including Good Luck Charlie and Five Points. Landing a role like this could be the making of her, and we’re confident she has the acting chops to pull it off. 

We’ve now seen a couple of different takes on Storm, and neither really did the comics justice. 

Halle Berry was only ever okay, while Alexandra Shipp was largely forgettable (that can mostly be blamed on the material she was given to work with in fairness). A younger Storm would be better at this point too because it means her origin story could be explored to some extent, and it would be no bad thing for Marvel Studios to tie her to Wakanda in some way, shape, or form!
 

5. Dev Patel – Angel

X-Men: The Last Stand took Angel down the body horror route, while X-Men: Apocalypse…well, that movie just made him a generic villain who fell under En Sabah Nur’s spell. That’s frustrating because the character has so much potential, and a quality actor is definitely essential for his MCU debut. 

Something tells us that Dev Patel (who seems to excel regardless of whether it’s in The Personal History of David Copperfield, Chappie, or The Newsroom) would excel as the spoiled rich kid Warren Worthington III who is eventually put through the wringer and takes on the moniker of Archangel. 

Marvel Studios would be wise to snatch Patel up and make Angel a lead character in this reboot. 
 

4. Daniel Radcliffe – Beast

For reasons entirely beyond our comprehension, there are some fans who would like to see Daniel Radcliffe (yes, the same Daniel Radcliffe who played Harry Potter once upon a time) star in the MCU as Wolverine. It’s a terrible casting suggestion, and there’s an X-Man much better suited to the actor. 

In recent years, Radcliffe has completely re-invented himself as an actor who takes on all manner of quirky, memorable roles, and we’re sure he could have a lot of fun as the human Hank McCoy.

However, perhaps even better than that would be to see him as a mo-cap version of Beast, and given how unique his work as been since moving on from the Boy Who Lived, we’re sure he would make every bit as significant an impact with that sort of role as Mark Ruffalo has as The Hulk. 
 

3. Joe Keery – Iceman

Iceman was barely recognisable in those early X-Men movies and, in fairness to Brett Ratner, it wasn’t until The Last Stand we got to see a comic accurate version of the hero (however, he still spent far too much time pining after Rogue for our liking in that poorly received threequel). 

The problem is, Shawn Ashmore didn’t really give Bobby Drake much of a personality, but we’re confident Stranger Things star Joe Keery could make up for that with a far more memorable Iceman. 

He has that fun-loving, sharp-witted side a character like this needs, and looks the part to boot. There’s a lot of potential in Iceman, and the right actor is necessary to ensure he shines on screen.
 

2. Emma Watson – Jean Grey

Yes, we are indeed suggesting a Harry Potter reunion in Marvel Studios’ X-Men (sorry, Ron). There have been rumblings in the past that the studio is keen to work with Emma Watson, and with a properly fleshed out version of Jean Grey who helps lead the X-Men – rather than falling victim to the Phoenix Force – we’re sure that the talented British actress would agree to join the MCU.

Watson is a true force to be reckoned with on screen, and while we’re not overly desperate to see more Dark Phoenix after Fox’s failed attempts, she has the ability to property depict that on film. 

Jean Grey definitely deserves another chance on screen, but if Kevin Feige and company are reluctant to head down that route, could Watson possible play Emma Frost instead? It could work! 
 

1. Ansel Elgort – Cyclops

Ansel Elgort delivered an unbelievable, unforgettable performance in Baby Driver, and since moving on from the Divergent franchise, he’s never really failed to impress. If he’s willing to try another big budget franchise, then we’re pretty sure that Scott Summers would be a perfect fit for him. 

We’re done seeing a Cyclops who is the butt of Wolverine’s jokes or pining after Jean Grey, and it’s about time we get to see a version of the character who is a true leader of the X-Men. 

The actor has an edge to him which Cyclops needs to help him stand out in this team, and while Tye Sheridan did his best with what he was given, we think Elgort could deliver the version we’ve been waiting for (while bringing some much-needed complexity to the hero).