With Hayden Christensen and Joel Edgerton returning to their Star Wars roles as Darth Vader and Uncle Owen for the upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi series on Disney Plus, the internet was abuzz with questions of whether or not the polarizing character Jar Jar Binks might also make an appearance.
In case anyone has forgotten, (or was a wee baby in the early 2000s) Jar Jar Binks was the bumbling and clumsy Gungan that became a military commander and politician during the Separatist conflicts. He was once an outcast from Gungan society because, well, because he was annoying, but gained redemption when he (along with Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi) helped secure an alliance between the Gungan people and Queen Padme Amidala of Naboo.
Unfortunately, he was also the patsy manipulated into pushing for the Galactic Senate to grant emergency executive powers to Supreme Chancellor Palpatine. Palpatine used these powers to dissolve the senate, raise an army, and turn the Republic into an Empire. Oops!
Also, audiences hated him. The character was accused of being everything from a crass attempt at child-pleasing to a racist stereotype with a misplaced Caribbean accent. The backlash was so severe that it caused actor Ahmed Best severe emotional distress to the extent that at one point he considered ending his life.
So what Happened to Jar Jar?
In the canon novel Aftermath: Empire’s End by Chuck Wendig, it is revealed that Jar Jar has once again become an outcast for his disastrous role in the rise of the Empire. In a humiliating turn, he is now a homeless street clown in the capital city of Theed. Children love to watch his antics, but adults scorn him and refuse to even speak to him. Some might call this fate pathetic and cruel, while others might say it’s a fitting end to Star Wars‘ most hated character.
Will Jar Jar be in Obi-Wan Kenobi?
It is technically possible that Jar Jar could make an appearance in the show considering that it takes place ten years after Revenge of the Sith, filling in the gaps between the fall of the Republic and the events of A New Hope. However it appears that will not be happening.
Ahmed Best has confirmed that he will not be returning to the role. He recently congratulated the cast on Twitter but when questioned by a fan about his involvement was very firm in declaring that he will not be a part of the series. His original tweet said: “Thanks for the love, but I will not be in this series. As much as I would’ve loved to be a part of it. But I’m ecstatic to see folks who I love dearly back together doing great things.”
It’s still possible that other fan-favorite characters from Episodes I-III, and the various animated shows, might make surprise appearances in the show, but it seems pretty definite that Best will not be one of them.
Obi-Wan Kenobi releases May 25 2022 on Disney Plus.
(image: Disney/Lucasfilm)
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