Despite previous rumors that suggested Jar Jar Binks could be making a return in the Obi-Wan Kenobi Disney+ series, Ahmed Best, who voiced the character and also provided motion capture, has confirmed that the polarizing Gungan will not be making a return in the series.
Ahmed Best took to Twitter to congratulate the cast which was fully announced on Monday as production is slated to begin in April. Best tweeted "Congrats my friends. Looking forward to seeing all these wonderful artists on screen." Following this tweet, a fan suggested that Best was playing coy about Jar Jar's return but he made it clear that the character will not be appearing on the Obi-Wan series:
"Thanks for the love, but I will not be in this series. As much as I would've loved to be a part of it. But I'm ecstatic to see folks who I love dearly back together doing great things."
If Jar Jar Binks was to return to the Star Wars fold, it most likely would've been on this series. Jar Jar Binks made his first appearance in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, which introduced Ewan McGregor as a young Obi-Wan Kenobi. The character was clearly made to cater to kids and while he may have worked on that level, Star Wars fans weren't too kind to Jar Jar Binks and their reaction to the character ultimately diminished his appearances in the following two prequel films. Fans have softened a bit to the character in recent years which is why some thought he could return but it would appear that's not in the cards at this time.
The cast of the Obi-Wan Kenobi Disney+ series is pretty stacked with McGregor returning as Obi-Wan and Hayden Christensen reprising his role as Anakin Skywalker aka Darth Vader. Also on board are Moses Ingram, Joel Edgerton, Bonnie Piesse, Kumail Nanjiani, Indira Varma, Rupert Friend, O'Shea Jackson Jr., Sung Kang, Simone Kessell, and Benny Safdie.
Deborah Chow is at the helm of the series after cutting her teeth on a few episodes of The Mandalorian while Joby Harold wrote the series. There is no release date for the show as of yet but the first half of 2022 does seem likely.
Do YOU think Jar Jar Binks should've returned for the Obi-Wan Kenobi series?