Ahmed Best is best known for playing the infamous Jar Jar Binks in the Star Wars prequels, and he returned to the franchise after a 20-year absence to voice the same character in the video game, Battlefront II. While Best was excited for the opportunity, he also had mixed emotions about it.
Best was overwhelmed and honored to be asked to reprise his role as Jar Jar Binks and to be included in such a great franchise. Yet, he knew that this was something that people were not expecting and were not necessarily pleased about. Best was aware of how much of a mixed opinion his character invokes, and some people seem to really dislike him.
Despite the love/hate relationship some fans feel towards Jar Jar Binks, Best found that returning to the franchise was an emotionally charged experience. While he was grateful for returning to the franchise, he expressed in an interview that “I guess I do have some mixed emotions about it. I’m excited, and a little intimidated, because I know how much people love Star Wars and villainy, and I don’t want to disappoint them.”
Best also expressed that he was stubbornly proud to have found success despite the backlash from some fans. After his initial negative reception to Jar Jar Binks, Best was able to secure other acting roles, such as voicing characters for animated series’ and video games. There is a part of him that will always remember the path that he had to take to get to where he is now.
Overall, it is easy to understand why Ahmed Best was filled with mixed emotions when returning to the Star Wars franchise. He was filled with immense gratitude and honored to get the opportunity, but the harsh reality that some people may not be pleased was also present. Despite the mixed fan response, Best was able to persevere and find success elsewhere in the entertainment industry and for that, we commend him.
