The Mandalorian: Newest episode of Season 3 features a surprise return of a former Star Wars actor [SPOILERS]

Last Updated on March 28, 2023

THE ARTICLE BELOW CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR SEASON 3 EPISODE 4 OF THE MANDALORIAN —
CHAPTER 20: THE FOUNDLING

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The team of F&F — Favreau and Filoni really love incorporating obscure deep cuts into The Mandalorian series. It’s actually a clever, subtle way to marry all the elements from the established universe in Star Wars. All the way back to the pilot episode, in almost a test of memory and fandom, Favreau added a creature only known from the Ewok spin-off movies from the 80s. The surprise references range from minute details, like a rifle that appeared in the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special, to an all-out appearance of a main character, like bringing Return of the Jedi-era Luke Skywalker back in the second season’s finale or the live-action debut of the popular character, Ahsoka.

Entertainment Weekly reports on an unlikely return of a former actor from the past Star Wars movies. However, in a twist, the actor is playing a different character. And in another twist, this character is a recent deep cut as they’ve been featured on a 2020 online game show for children titled Star Wars: Jedi Temple Challenge. The newest episode, “The Foundling,” features the return of actor Ahmed Best from Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. Best is best known for portraying the infamous scrutinized character Jar Jar Binks. However, fear not, for Jar Jar does not make an appearance.

“The Foundling” would showcase a flashback that explains how Grogu was saved from the massacre at the Jedi temple. As Order 66 was being carried out, Grogu was saved by a Jedi named Kelleran Beq. Best would play this Jedi, Beq, in Jedi Temple Challenge. In “The Foundling,” Kelleran Beq would find a frightened and alone Grogu stuck in an elevator, hidden from the ongoing attack on the Jedis. Beq would rescue Grogu and showcase some action for the actor, Best, as he plows through several clone troopers.

This isn’t the first time Best played a character other than Jar Jar in the Star Wars universe. In Attack of the Clones, he made a non-CGI appearance in a scene that took place at a Coruscant nightclub. The character would even be given the name, Achk Med-Beq, which may imply a relation to the Jedi.

If anything, it’s nice to see Best not only come to terms with his Star Wars past (which nearly drove him to suicide), but to make a triumphant return to the franchise where his role in the story is quite integral.