Ahmed Best was “nervous” about returning to Star Wars after Jar Jar Binks

Ahmed Best has had a very tumultuous journey through the Star Wars galaxy. Best known for playing the franchise’s most hated character, Jar Jar Binks, Best had to step away from this world for a while after the backlash to 1999’s The Phantom Menace.

He has been through hell and back, and I feel for the guy. Star Wars fans can be brutal, and there have been a lot of things said to and about Best over the years that were inexcusable.

However, Best has made his triumphant return. In last week’s episode of The Mandalorian, Best appeared as Jedi Master Kelleran Beq, the Jedi who saved Grogu’s life during the execution of Order 66.

Ahmed Best makes his epic return to Star Wars

Given everything Best has been through, it’s understandable that he was very nervous about returning to this world. In an interview with StarWars.com, Best opened up about his hesitation and how he eventually made his way back. (Side note: This Ahmed Best interview took place before the Kelleran Beq episode aired, hence why his nerves were more on edge.)

“Honestly, I had to think about it. I’ve been in the Star Wars world for such a long time and my story is such a rollercoaster ride of emotions,” Best said. “So coming back to Star Wars wasn’t an easy decision for me. It wasn’t something I could have immediately said yes to. I did have to marinate over it for a bit. I mean, I was excited. I don’t think people really understand how much I care about Star Wars. Like, I really care. I really, really care about the storytelling, about the mythology, about the fans. I really want Star Wars to deliver, and if I become an obstacle to that, then I shouldn’t be in it. I don’t want to be bigger than the story. I don’t want to be bigger than the mythology. I want to contribute, I want to add to it. So it took me a minute.”

Despite feeling nervous, Best decided to come back, in part because of encouragement from The Mandalorian creators Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni. “As soon as I put the robes on for my first costume test, and I walked on to get approval from Jon and Dave, and they handed me a lightsaber, I was like, ‘Oh, I’m in this.’ And boom, Kelleran Beq came alive.”

Ahmed Best came up with his Jedi character’s name

The character of Kelleran Beq first introduced on Jedi Temple Challenge, a game show for young Star Wars fans that Best hosts.

“I went in deep with Kelleran Beq. It’s really special to me,” Best said. “Kelleran Beq was a character in name that I created, I came up with, was really encouraged by the Jedi Temple Challenge team and the StarWars.com team. Everyone just was so graceful in embracing my crazy ideas and bringing it forward, and to see that then migrate over to The Mandalorian is really super special.”

Hopefully we’ll see more of Best as The Mandalorian season 3 continues.

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h/t Star Wars News Net