SANTA MONICA -- If you gotta go, then go in style.

That's Samuel L. Jackson's take on the demise of his Star Wars character, Mace Windu.

As one of the Jedi knights, Mace Windu has a much more significant role in Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones, due in theatres May 15.

Mace survives the mayhem that results after an assassination attempt on the life of Naboo Senator Padme Amidala (Natalie Portman).

That means Mace returns for Star Wars: Episode III in 2005.

"All the Jedi die in Episode III during the Clone Wars. I told George (Lucas) I didn't mind dying, I just didn't want to go out like some punk.

"George said that was fine and he'd see what he could do about a fitting death scene for Mace," says Jackson, who stars opposite Ben Affleck in the taut drama Changing Lanes, which opens April 12.

Jackson says he has had to do four reshoots for Attack of the Clones.

"George refuses to call them reshoots. He refers to them as ligaments.

"For George, it's all about making things better."

POSITIVE BUZZ

Harry Knowles has posted a review on his movie website (www.aint-it-cool-news.com) claiming he'd seen a video of a work copy of Attack of the Clones.

Lucas has refused to confirm or deny that he sanctioned the screening.

"I think it's pretty safe to say George knew the screening was going to happen. Harry has a huge website that kids hit all the time and they're the audience for Star Wars.

"There's been a lot of hype for Spiderman recently, so I think it was time to get the buzz back out there to the core audience for Star Wars."

Jackson says he has Knowles' private e-mail.

"Harry and I talk a lot in the ether. He's a huge movie fan and so am I."

That doesn't mean Jackson agrees with everything Knowles says, particularly his derogatory comments about Phantom Menaces' much-maligned animated character Jar Jar Binks. "Critics can say whatever they want about Jar Jar Binks, but he's the favourite Phantom Menace character for the nine to 12 year olds."

Jackson admits he "was able to use my celebrity to worm my way into the Star Wars prequels.

"For years, I dropped hints in interviews that I wanted to be part of the cinematic history that Star Wars represents.

"George heard and contacted me. I'd have been pleased with just a cameo in The Phantom Menace.

"When we met for the first time, George said there was very little he could offer me in Phantom Menace, but I told him I'd play a storm trooper if it meant being in Star Wars.

"George said he had something a little bigger than that."

Playing Mace Windu in Phantom Menace was basically a cameo, but it was not without its perks.

"I got to share a scene with Yoda. That's what I call a great part.

Jackson will not reveal if he shares screen time with Yoda in Attack of the Clones.

"We're not allowed to divulge any specifics, but I can say it is a significantly bigger role this time around as George originally promised."

Even with a brief appearance in Phantom Menace, Jackson realized another dream.

"I got to be an action figure and it actually looks like me. I was one of the few people in Jurassic Park that didn't get an action figure, so this was a great vindication."


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