Star Wars character Mace Windu appeared in 1993 roleplaying guide

A character named Mace Windu appeared in licensed Star Wars material six years before the release of ‘The Phantom Menace’ in 1999. This version of the character was not a Jedi, nor was he human.

According to the 1993 reference manual ‘Galaxy Guide 7: Mos Eisley’, published by West End Games for the Star Wars roleplaying game, this Mace Windu was a member of the Squib species. His biography described him as a former bartender on a salvage cruiser who became a used droid trader on Tatooine.

The name likely originated from a 1973 treatment written by George Lucas, which contained a character named ‘Mace Windy’. The name remained in use within licensed materials for years before the character was reimagined as the powerful Jedi Master portrayed by Samuel L. Jackson.