A decade ago, he was mocked. Today, he’s getting standing ovations. Ahmed Best—yes, that Ahmed Best—is finally getting the love he always deserved.
Once vilified for portraying the clumsy, animated Jar-Jar Binks in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, Best now finds himself at the center of a resurgence. And it’s not just nostalgia—it’s recognition. Recognition of resilience, of talent, and of a man who just wants to teach lightsaber lessons as a Jedi.
From Joke to Jedi: The Comeback Nobody Saw Coming
There’s a poetic irony in how the same universe that nearly broke Ahmed Best gave him one of his most celebrated moments.
His unexpected return in The Mandalorian—this time not as Jar-Jar, but as Jedi Master Kelleran Beq—was a true jaw-dropper. In just one scene, Best rescued baby Grogu from certain death during Order 66. Fans ate it up.
And guess what? He’s hoping that wasn’t the end.
“I do, yeah,” Best confirmed when asked if he’d like to come back. “There’s so much more that I can do, not only as a martial artist, but as a storyteller.”
He’s not wrong. The scene gave us a glimpse of something special. A Jedi who wasn’t just swinging a saber, but acting with purpose.
A Jedi Who Teaches? That’s the Twist We Need
Beq isn’t your average Force-wielder. According to Best, he’s one of the few Jedi who wants to teach.
In his own words: “I think teachers are superheroes, and I think we need to have more superhero teachers in our storytelling.”
That’s not a throwaway line. It’s a mission statement.
Let’s be real—Star Wars hasn’t always done the best job showing Jedi as mentors outside the usual Master-Apprentice stuff. Beq offers a fresh angle. He’s got potential to be a kind of Yoda-meets-Mr. Miyagi. Less cryptic riddle, more real talk. Kids need that. So do adults.
That one scene in The Mandalorian? It left fans begging for more. Twitter exploded. Reddit threads lit up. “We need a Kelleran Beq spinoff,” one top post read.
They might be onto something.
Healing Old Wounds: Jar-Jar’s Legacy Reconsidered
But let’s not forget the elephant in the room. Or, well, the Gungan.
Jar-Jar Binks has been the butt of jokes for years. Critics panned him. Hardcore fans rejected him. But the kids? The kids loved him.
And now those kids are all grown up.
“All of the kids that loved Jar-Jar are now adults,” Best said. “And that was their way into Star Wars… they take it very, very personally.”
That part—they take it personally—hits hard. Because Star Wars is personal for a lot of us. The ships, the soundtracks, the lightsabers. But for some fans, Jar-Jar was Star Wars.
“It’s been really wonderful to see those kids grow up and really stand by their love for the movies that I was in,” Best added.
It’s the kind of full-circle moment most actors only dream of.
From the Shadows to Center Stage
There’s something undeniably satisfying about watching someone who got mocked finally get a standing ovation.
Best went through hell after the prequels. He’s talked before about how bad the backlash got—so bad he considered ending his life. That’s no small thing.
But the tide has turned.
Star Wars fans are a complicated bunch. Passionate, protective, often brutal. But also deeply loyal. When they love you, they really love you.
Just ask Ahmed Best. After years of silence, fans cheered when they saw him in The Mandalorian. Not just because it was a surprise—but because it felt right.
Could Beq Return? Odds Are Looking Good
Let’s not forget how Lucasfilm works these days. Surprise cameos become full-on arcs. One appearance in a Disney+ show can launch an entire series.
Just look at:
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Ahsoka Tano’s jump from animation to live action.
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Boba Fett’s resurrection.
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Cassian Andor getting a gritty origin story.
Could Beq be next?
Here’s a quick look at the odds based on fan demand and Lucasfilm’s recent moves:
| Character | First Cameo | Expanded Role | Series/Spinoff Potential |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ahsoka Tano | The Mandalorian (S2) | Full episodes | Got her own show |
| Bo-Katan Kryze | The Mandalorian (S2) | Major arc | Co-leads Season 3 |
| Kelleran Beq | The Mandalorian (S3) | Single scene | Fans want more |
Feels like the door is wide open.
Star Wars Isn’t Just a Galaxy Far Away—It’s Personal
Maybe that’s why Best’s return hits home. It’s not just nostalgia or fan service. It’s personal.
This isn’t just about a character. It’s about healing. For Best, for the fans, and maybe even for the franchise. There’s something powerful in that.
Because Star Wars at its best? It’s not just about battles and blasters. It’s about hope. Redemption. Growth. And seeing someone like Ahmed Best finally get the love he earned… that’s real Star Wars energy.
