Ahmed Best, the actor who played the divisive character of Jar Jar Binks in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, has left the door open for a return to the beloved sci-fi franchise.
Best played the goofy alien in Episodes One, Two and Three, reprising the role as a voice actor for seven episodes of the animated spin-off series Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
Speaking on Twitter about an old idea he had tried to sell for a Black sci-fi comedy called The Nebula – which Best said was rejected because “black people don’t like Sci-Fi” – the actor shared a link to his 12-year-old pitch.
One fan then responded that Best should pitch the idea to Disney+, saying “I’m sure they will take it”.
They then ask: “Other than that would you ever return as Jar Jar?”
Best responded: “I would return as #jarjarbinks but it really depends on the story.”
Jar Jar remains one of the most controversial characters featured in the Star Wars saga; when Star Wars: Episode One – The Phantom Menace was released, Jar Jar was the focus of much of the criticism directed at the film.
The character speaks with what Best has described as a “Jamaican, broken dialect”, and is portrayed as clumsy and naive.
Best has spoken previously about the pressure he felt after the film’s release, and, in 2018, opened up about contemplating suicide.
In a tweet, alongside a picture of his son, the actor wrote: “I faced a media backlash that still affects my career today. This was the place I almost ended my life. It’s still hard to talk about.”
“I survived and now this little guy is my gift for survival.”
Disney+ currently have several Star Wars series in the works, including one centred on Ewan McGregor's Obi Wan Kenobi, and another based on Diego Luna's character from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
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