Star Wars: Ranking the 10 best lightsaber battles
By Bryce Olin
8. Mace Windu vs. Emperor Palpatine (Episode III)
Samuel L. Jackson finally gets his chance to show off what Mace Windu is made of against Emperor Palpatine (Darth Sidious) in what’s known as the “Showdown on the Coruscant.”
After Palpatine tells Anakin that he is actually Darth Sidious, Anakin tells Mace Windu, who, then, rounds up a group of Jedi, Agen Kolar, Kit Fisto, and Saesee Tiin, to arrest Palpatine, a.k.a. Darth Sidious. Of course, Darth Sidious doesn’t go easy and fights off all the Jedi with ease.
Windu, however, presents a challenge to the Sith Lord and eventually takes down Darth Sidious and has an opportunity to kill him. Quickly, Darth Sidious uses Force Lightning on Windu, which backfires and begins to harm Darth Sidious.
Windu has a chance to kill him, but just as he’s about to strike, Anakin slices off Windu’s hand and lightsaber. This gives Darth Sidious the opportunity to, once again, strike Windu with Force Lightning. The strike kills Windu (probably).
It’s unclear among enthusiasts whether Darth Sidious gives himself up or Mace Windu actually defeats him. Anakin’s decision, though, shapes the history of the Republic, as he pledges allegiance to the Sith Lord and becomes Darth Vader shortly after Windu’s death.
Next: Obi-Wan and Anakin vs. Dooku