Fans who turned into the latest episode of The Mandalorian were shocked to see the return of Ahmed Best into the Star Wars universe. Best is known for his role as Jar Jar Binks in George Lucas’ Star Wars prequel trilogy from 1999 to 2005 and for voicing the animated version of the character in the 2008 series Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
Jar Jar Binks, an alien of the Gungan species, played a significant role in comic relief in Episode I: The Phantom Menace. The character was met with backlash and general dislike, however, which led to a minor role in Episode II: Attack of the Clones, and an even smaller one in Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.
In 2020, Best returned to the franchise as Jedi Master Kelleran Beq in Star Wars: Jedi Temple Challenge, which lasted ten episodes. Needless to say, it came as a surprise when Best revived his role as a Jedi in the live-action Disney+ adventure series The Mandalorian.
The fourth episode of the third season, titled “ Chapter 20: The Foundling,” provided a glimpse into how Grogu was taken from the Jedi temple where he was raised — before the events of season one. Via Deadline, “Grogu has a flashback to the moment when the Jedi temple was attacked. Best shows up as a Jedi named Kelleran Beq who saves the child after finding him in an elevator as the attack takes place.”
Best took to Instagram to express his gratitude and excitement with the caption “Good to be back.”
Though The Mandalorian is now halfway through its season, Best seems to have insinuated that more of Kelleran Beq is to come. The possibility is highly likely if the series decides to further explore Grogu’s past.
The Mandalorian stars Pedro Pascal (The Last Of Us, Game Of Thrones), Katee Sackhoff (Longmire, Another Life), Amy Sedaris (Strangers with Candy, BoJack Horseman), Giancarlo Esposito (Kaleidoscope, Dear White People), Emily Swallow (Supernatural, Haunting of the Mary Celeste), and Carl Weathers (Chicago Justice, Rocky).
Season three is now streaming on Disney+ with new episodes airing every Wednesday.