Mace Winduhad concerns about Anakin Skywalker from the first moment they met inStar Wars, and it all boiled down to a deep lack of trust in the young boy—but why? Although Darth Vader had debuted in the original trilogy as one ofStar Wars’most powerful Sith, the prequels shocked viewers by beginning with Anakin as a child inStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. In fact, this remains one of audiences' biggestcomplaints about theStar Warsprequel trilogy.
Nevertheless, this origin story provided some essential context about Anakin Skywalker that influencedStar Warsmovies and TV showsfor years to come. For one,The Phantom Menaceand the other prequel movies revealed that Anakin wasthe Chosen One, which was no doubt a huge factor in the Jedi Council’s decision to admit him at an older age than most Jedi Initiates. However,the prequels also showed the extent to which the Jedi held Anakin at arm’s length, Mace Windu in particular, and the effect that had on Anakin.
Star Wars: Everything We Know About Mace Windu’s Life Before The Phantom Menace
Before the events of The Phantom Menace, Star Wars canon and Legends stories explored the history of the legendary Jedi Master Mace Windu.
Mace Windu Sensed Anakin’s Fear Early On
From the moment Anakin arrived on Coruscant inThe Phantom Menace, he was heavily scrutinized by the Jedi. This made sense from the Jedi’s point-of-view, as they were effectively having a child they typically would not accept into the Order forced upon them by Qui-Gon Jinn. However, it also immediately put Anakin on the defensive, which unfortunately set the tone for the rest of Anakin’s time with the Jedi. Moreover,while all the Jedi Council members were clearly hesitant, Mace Windu was one of the most concerned.
Although it was Yoda who questioned Anakin for the most part and was the one to ask him directly about his attachment to his mother and his feelings of fear, Mace Windu’s unease was etched all over his face. The Jedi Council also ultimately decided not to accept Anakin into the Order (at first), and it’s safe to assume Mace Windu was one of the loudest voices in the room. In part, this was because he did sense fear in Anakin, although his concerns became much greater with time.
Mace Was Always Attentive To Anakin’s Growing Power & Emotions
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the ClonesandStar Wars: The Clone Warsrevealed thatMace Windu never really shook off his feelings of concern and distrust regarding Anakin Skywalker. In fact, even as Anakin moved throughthe ranks of the Jedi—although, notably, not to the rank of master—and fought valiantly in the Clone Wars on behalf of the Republic, Mace Windu continued to treat Anakin like a major risk. In a way, this is a question of causality. Did Mace Windu accurately predict Anakin’s fall, or did this treatment by the Jedi contribute to Anakin’s turn?
Mace Windu continued to treat Anakin like a major risk.
It’s difficult to say, as both likely fed into each other. Regardless, Mace Windu remained quite wary of Anakin, and he took note of Anakin’s immense power in the Force and his unpredictable, at times alarming emotions. Even inStar Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, when Anakin should have been much more mature and in control of himself, he continued to have outbursts, such as the rather immature one about his seat on the Council without the rank of master being ‘unfair.’
While the emotions Anakin expressed were legitimately troubling,the Jedi had Anakin in a bit of a catch-22. Yes, Anakin was growing increasingly powerful, quickly outpacing even some Jedi Masters, but that is what they wanted from him in more ways than one. On the one hand, presumably every Jedi should grow in their power as they train and age. On the other hand, Anakin was the Chosen One, and there was constant pressure to become someone who could overthrow the Sith. There was really no winning for Anakin, as meeting the expectations of the Jedi also alarmed them.
Anakin’s Relationship With Palpatine Was Suspicious To Mace
For good reason,Mace Windu also had major concerns about Anakin’s close relationship with Palpatine, and it was precisely that relationship that famously cost Mace Windu his life. Arguably, had the Jedi Council been a bit more worried about the closeness between Palpatine and Anakin they may have been able to change their fates. Anakin was slowly corrupted by Palpatine, which came to a head when Anakin felt Palpatine was his only chance at saving Padmé.
The nail in everyone’s coffin, though, truly was when the Jedi asked Anakin to spy on Palpatine, which made Anakin doubt their intentions and worsened his perception of Mace Windu’s attack on Palpatine. In a way, the Jedi Council, Mace Windu included, are also culpable in the prequel trilogy’s disastrous events, although it was ultimately Anakin who made all the wrong decisions. Nevertheless, the reasons forMace Windu’sdistrust of Anakin Skywalker and the lasting impacts that distrust had throughoutStar Warsare evident.
