Ahmed Bestwants closure for his clumsy Gungan character, Jar Jar Binks, who initially appeared in the first installment of George Lucas prequel trilogy,Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace.In a new interview published on May the Fourth Be with You, Best voiced his opinion overStar WarsDay weekend in regard to the fate of one of that galaxy far, far away’s most highly scrutinized characters. Best said during his discussion withPeople:
“I would love just for there to be some really good closure,just to knowwhat happened to Jar Jar.And then I don’t think it needs to be tragic.There was this one piece of Star Wars literature whereJar Jar ended up being this homeless clown in the streets begging for money or something like that.”
Best continued:
“And I was like, ‘I don’t think so.I don’t think that’s Jar Jar’s fate.‘Jar Jar was spectacularly clumsy and failed upwards. He just… was just [a] wonderful character thatalways found a way to succeed. AndI would love to know Jar Jar’s fatefrom there, even if it’s a scene that closes it."
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (null)
Jar Jar’s role was drastically cut back inStar Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones.But the clumsy Gungan actually ended up playing an integral role in the eventual rise of the evil Galactic Empire. Thinking he is doing what’s best for the Republic, and standing in for the absent Senator Padmé Amidala, Jar Jar votes to grant emergency powers to Supreme Chancellor Palpatine — who eventually becomes the Emperor. This allows Palpatine the means to utilize the Grand Army of the Republic, comprised of deadly Clone troopers.
Ahmed Best Insists ‘Everyone Came at Me’ Because of Jar Jar Binks
PerhapsJar Jar Binks didn’t deserve so much hatefrom the fans. Nonetheless, it happened all the same. However, a new generation of fans now have the opportunity to get acquainted with the clumsy character, because the special 25th anniversary screening ofStar Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menaceis now playing in theaters. But when Ahmed Best looks back on all the backlash directed toward the Gungan Jar Jar, the actor reveals it was a very difficult thing for him to deal with. Best said in the same interview:
“It really wasn’t easy. I was very young. I was 26.And it’s hard to have this idea that the thing you’ve been working all your life for, you finally get it,and you’re finally in the big leagues and the highest level of the game,and you hold your own. All of these years you’re just like,‘I belong at the top of the game. I belong at the highest level.’
And then all of a sudden people pull the rug out from under you.And I was just like, ‘What is happening now?‘My career began and ended. I didn’t know what to do,and unfortunately there was really no one that could help me, because it was such a unique position.It had never happened before in history, especially with the internet component.”
InStar Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith,Jar Jar Binks hardly appears on-screen at all, except for the scene where Jedi Master Mace Windu (Samuel L. Jackson) speaks with Supreme Chancellor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) after Obi-Wan (Ewan McGregor) and Anakin (Christensen) crash-landed on Coruscant at the beginning of the film. Best continued in the same sit-down.
“Now, there’s an entire field of psychology based on it.But at the time, what do I say to a psychologist? I just tried to do the best job that I could do. ButGeorge [Lucas] is untouchable,and everybody was untouchable.Who wasn’t untouchable? Me. Everyone came at me."
Jar Jar Binks Actor Thankful for Star Wars Return in The Mandalorian
As Jar Jar Binks, Ahmed Best became one of the most hated Star Wars characters, but his appearance in The Mandalorian has put that to rest.
Ultimately,Best even contemplated suicide,because of all the backlash focused on the character of Jar Jar Binks. But now 50-year-old Best is looking back with a different perspective. So, it’s only natural that the actor would want some closure for the character. For Best, though, he’s already returned to that galaxy far, far away as Kelleran Beq for an appearance inThe Mandalorian. Best portrayed the Jedi Master who not only managed to survive the dreaded Order 66, but he also helped Grogu, aka Baby Yoda, escape, too.
Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menaceis now playing in theaters and is also available to stream onDisney+,at the time of this writing.
