[9] During his audition he performed several martial arts moves and flips, which according to Best was a contrast to how Lucas pictured the character, more in line with comedic silent actors such as Buster Keaton. Best also insinuated that if it hadn’t been for the backlash against Jar Jar, then the prequels might have leaned into the Darth Jar Jar angle. Collection of negative Jar Jar comments from major media sources. Digital Spy participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. The driving force behind the Darth Jar Jar theory is that Jar Jar Binks is so absurdly clumsy and inept that it could believably be an act. [9] After Lucas walked out of the audition, Best felt he had failed it. This has been seen as a hint that Jar Jar is Force-sensitive, but mostly hides his abilities unless he needs to do a backflip in the midst of battle. It's also thought George Lucas wanted Jar Jar's character to mirror Yoda in The Empire Strikes Back - a bumbling creature who actually turns out to be super-powerful. [14] Another cut scene would have shown Palpatine mocking Jar Jar for putting him in power before crowning himself emperor. pic.twitter.com/T0UD3Hg68N. At the beginning of Attack of the Clones, when a few years have passed since The Phantom Menace (telegraphed by the new actor playing Anakin), Jar Jar has somehow become a representative in the Galactic Senate. No matter how long it takes. [5][6][39][40] Journalist Andrew Street from The Guardian called it a "classic twist", comparing it to Yoda's role in The Empire Strikes Back,[6] while Matt Hickey from Forbes went to the extent of contacting George Lucas about the question, but received no answer. Other Gungans are terrified of Jar Jar and he's seen making huge superhuman leaps, which could be propelled with his own Force powers. Yes, says the internet", "Jar Jar Binks Was Inspired By This Classic Disney Character", "Michael Jackson wanted to play Jar Jar Binks in 'Star Wars, "The Actor Who Played Jar Jar Binks Is Not Sorry", "Jar Jar Binks Actor Claims His Role In Cinema History Has Been Forgotten", "Star Wars Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith Script", "How was George Lucas going to end Jar Jar's story? #TPM", "Ahmed Best says DARTH JAR JAR theory is TRUE! [42], J. J. Abrams, who directed two installments of the franchise's sequel trilogy after its buyout by Disney, personally approved the theory about the villainous Jar Jar. [38], The post quickly became popular and received significant media coverage internationally by independent bloggers and major news outlets like The Guardian, The Washington Post, and The New York Times, which included analysis of his actions in The Phantom Menace and gave him the nickname of "Darth Jar Jar". Jar Jar Binks and Mace Windu. RELATED: Star Wars: 10 Storylines From The Prequel Trilogy That Were Never Paid Off. Chris Taylor of Mashable wrote that the situation reflects real life in that adults disliked Jar Jar in the prequel films, but children were entertained by him. There's also evidence that Jar Jar could be the Sith master above Palpatine - the prequel films often see him glued to the emperor's side AND he originates from the same planet. NEXT: Star Wars: 10 Best Unused Ideas From The Prequel Trilogy. You might recognise this brand of 'drunken kung fu' from the likes of Tekken's Lei Wulong. Because of the backlash, and rightfully so, Lucasfilm backed off of Jar Jar a lot, but a lot of the influence that I put into the character mirrored a lot of what was already in the Star Wars universe." No matter how long it takes. Following the near civil war on Naboo, Representative Jar Jar Binks was called upon by the Galactic Republic to deal with a new crisis on the planet Bardotta. [37] This theory was related to an earlier interview with actor Ahmed Best in /r/IAmA, where he claimed that Jar Jar had been displaced from the story's main focus due to the backlash, implying at the same time that the hate received by the character was not entirely unintentional. Aside from George Lucas, no-one likes Jar Jar Binks, what with his rubbery face, high-pitched squeals and bumbling hi-jinks. Possibly. The surprising fate of Jar Jar Binks revealed, Star Wars Jar Jar actor reveals if he would return, Simon Pegg regrets hating on Star Wars' Jar Jar Binks, Star Wars fans fooled into thinking Jar Jar's in Ep 8, Star Wars 8 director backs 'Jar Jar Binks Sith' theory. [7] Singer Michael Jackson wanted to play the role, but wished to portray the character using prosthetics while Lucas wanted him to be all CGI. Aside from George Lucas, no-one likes Jar Jar Binks, what with his rubbery face, high-pitched squeals and bumbling hi-jinks. [35] Ahmed Best also rejected the allegations, saying that "Jar Jar has nothing to do with the Caribbean". "[43], Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, "The Top 10 Worst TV and Film Characters", "10 Things We (Still) Kinda Hate About The Phantom Menace", "Star Wars: The Darth Jar Jar Binks theory is partially true, says actor", "Fans Rocked By Star Wars Character Theory That Changes Everything They Know", "Is Jar Jar Binks the ultimate Star Wars bad guy? (sort of)", "Jar Jar Binks fan theory: J.J. Abrams weighs in". Overall, the theory suggests his idiocy is a ploy to lull his companions into a false sense of security and wreak havoc with a host of mind tricks, deal "accidental" damage to ships and force the Jedi to keep running into supervillain in the making, Anakin Skywalker. In The Empire Strikes Back, when Luke travels to Dagobah, Yoda initially acts like a bumbling buffoon in order to offset any preconceptions that he might be the last surviving Jedi in hiding. There's a surprising amount of evidence to back this up. [15] He is most prominently featured in Padmé Amidala's funeral procession at the end of the film, marching sadly behind her coffin alongside Boss Nass. Believe it or not, there are a surprising number of details that support it. ", And that's not all. [5], In response to the speculations, Best tweeted, "I will say this, it feels really good when the hidden meaning behind the work is seen. Ahmed Best was signed on to portray Binks in the show Star Wars Detours. It would be the perfect cover-up for a Sith apprentice who wanted to infiltrate the Republic. The Jar Jar Binks is a Sith Lord Theory. [10], Best wore a prosthetic costume to portray Jar Jar, which cost about $100,000 and served as a reference for the actors to interact with, animators to base the performance on, and digital artists to match the lighting. [36], In late October 2015, a Reddit user by the name of "Lumpawarroo" published a detailed theory speculating that Binks was originally written as a major antagonist of the series, a manipulative, prominent collaborator of Palpatine, before being written off from his major villain's role due to the character's negative reception. This oddly mirrors Jar Jar, who is theorized to act like a bumbling buffoon to dissuade anyone from suspecting him of being an all-powerful Sith Lord. "[33] Patricia J. Williams suggested that many aspects of Jar Jar's character are highly reminiscent of the archetypes portrayed in blackface minstrelsy,[3] while others have suggested the character is a "laid-back clown character" representing a black Caribbean stereotype. [9] Terryl Whitlatch created the final designs for the "cowardly and insecure" character. The driving force behind the Darth Jar Jar theory is that Jar Jar Binks is so absurdly clumsy and inept that it could believably be an act. [31][32], Joe Morgenstern of The Wall Street Journal described the character as a "Rastafarian Stepin Fetchit on platform hoofs, crossed annoyingly with Butterfly McQueen. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. The theory, which has an entire subreddit devoted to it, was name-checked by Force Awakens director JJ Abrams in a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly. Chuck Wendig's 2017 novel Star Wars: Aftermath: Empire's End, set after the events of Return of the Jedi, finds Binks as a street performer who entertains refugee children but is loathed by adults who blame him for his part in the rise of the Empire.