Sadly, Ahmed Best Says That Jar Jar Will Not Be Making An Appearance In 'Obi-Wan Kenobi' Series
When the premise of Obi-Wan Kenobi was announced, fans speculated about the characters that would appear in the series. Obi-Wan Kenobi would take place roughly 10 years after Revenge of the Sith, when the Galactic Empire is very established. With Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen as the first confirmed cast members, fans knew they could definitely expect to see Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker.
Other characters’ appearances in the series seemed dubious. Would we see the return of certain characters from the prequel trilogy? One actor who had been on fans' minds was Ahmed Best. The actor has portrayed Jar Jar Binks in the prequel trilogy, and also voiced the character in several episodes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. If the comical Gungan is to make another appearance, surely Best would be involved again.
Earlier this week, on March 29, 2021, the official cast of Obi-Wan Kenobi was announced, and Ahmed Best tweeted his non-participation in the series.
The speculation of Jar Jar's potential return has officially been debunked. Or so many are led to believe. Despite Best’s statement, some skeptical minds think that he could be protecting a secret surprise Star Wars appearance (not unlike Mark Hamill had done concerning his participation as Luke Skywalker in season two of The Mandalorian). On the other hand, just because Best is not in the series does not mean that a different actor couldn't hypothetically still play Jar Jar Binks. The tweet does not mean that the Gungan would not appear on Obi-Wan Kenobi altogether.
Ahmed Best struggled with depression for years as a result of harassment from so-called fans for his portrayal of the less than popular Jar Jar Binks. We can understand his reluctance at reprising the role. Jake Lloyd faced similar treatment for his role as the younger version of Anakin Skywalker, and made the decision to retire from acting in 2001.
Ahmed Best as pre-CGI Jar Jar Binks
The life of Jar Jar Binks has its ups and downs throughout the prequel trilogy. His status rose in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace and played a part in leading the Gungans against the Trade Federation forces. In Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, he gains prestige as the Gungan representative in the Naboo delegation to the Galactic Senate. When Senator Amidala goes into hiding, he plays a pivotal role in convincing the Senate to empower Supreme Chancellor Palpatine to have the Grand Army of the Republic against the Separatists, which leads to the Clone Wars. In his role as representative, he appears in a few diplomatic missions in the series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Despite his commendable service to the Republic, Binks’ indirect part in the use of the clone army allows Palpatine to surround the Jedi with the clone soldiers who eventually execute Order 66 and wipe out the obstacle in the rise of his empire.
The last time we saw Jar Jar Binks on the silver screen was when he attended Senator Padme Amidala’s funeral at the end of Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith. His fate after is largely unknown. In the canonical novel Aftermath: Empire’s End, which is set after the events of Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi, we find Jar Jar Binks on Naboo. He has been cast out and shunned by the Gungans and the Naboo for his role in the rise of the Galactic Empire, and all the turmoil and destruction brought about by its rule. Without a place to call home, he becomes a street performer, spending the days entertaining children with his funny antics and acrobatics. The previously lustrous representative has fallen very far from grace since the events of Revenge of the Sith. If he is to appear in Obi-Wan Kenobi, Jar Jar Binks definitely would not be portrayed in the best circumstances.
Source(s): Star Wars News Net