Ahmad Best, the actor who famously portrayed the character Jar Jar Binks in the Star Wars franchise, made a surprise comeback in The Mandalorian season 3, episode 4 titled The Foundling. Best played a Jedi named Kelleran Beq in the hit Disney+ series, much to the delight of Star Wars fans worldwide.
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Best’s return to the Star Wars universe is a welcome surprise for fans who have been clamoring for more Jedi action in The Mandalorian. The actor’s previous role as Jar Jar Binks in the prequel trilogy was widely criticized, but Best’s performance as Beq has been met with a much warmer reception.
I truly hope Ahmed Best feels more welcomed and loved by the Star Wars fandom than ever before. He deserves this and so much more! #TheMandalorian pic.twitter.com/aJQ1pGGvNb
— Nathan Messer | The Mandalorian (@N8Mess) March 22, 2023
Who is Ahmed Best?
Born on August 19, 1973, in New York City, Best began his acting career in the mid-1990s. He landed his breakthrough role as Jar Jar Binks in the 1999 film Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. Although the film was a box office success, Best’s portrayal of the clumsy Gungan alien was met with widespread criticism.
Despite the backlash, Best remained a part of the Star Wars franchise and continued to play the character of Jar Jar Binks in subsequent films and TV shows. However, his return to the franchise in The Mandalorian season 3 marks the first time he has played a Jedi character.
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In an interview with Variety, Best spoke about his experience returning to the Star Wars universe and playing a Jedi. He said, “It was a thrill to be back in the Star Wars world, and playing a Jedi was a dream come true. It was a completely different experience from playing Jar Jar, and I loved every minute of it.”
Best’s return to the Star Wars franchise has been met with a lot of enthusiasm from fans on social media. Many fans have praised his performance in The Mandalorian, with some even calling for a spinoff series featuring his character.
Ahmed Best was bullied by toxic fanboys to the point of contemplating suicide for his portrayal of Jar Jar Binks. Twenty years later and he's now the Jedi Knight who saves Grogu from Order 66.
You love to see it. pic.twitter.com/Ta9PH1J69q
— Comrade Sisko 🖖🏾✊🏿☭ (@Pinko69420) March 22, 2023
Best has also been active in other areas of the entertainment industry. He has worked as a voice actor, composer, and director. He has also appeared in a number of TV shows and movies outside of the Star Wars franchise, including the TV series Stomp Out Loud and the film Poolboy: Drowning Out the Fury.
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Overall, Best’s surprise comeback as a Jedi in The Mandalorian season 3 has reignited fans’ excitement for the Star Wars franchise. With his new role, Best has shown that he is a versatile actor who is capable of bringing a range of characters to life. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for the actor and his role in the Star Wars universe.
