Jar Jar Binks Actor Reveals How He Endures Brutal Star Wars Fan Backlash Every Day

Jar Jar Binks is one of the Star Wars franchise’s more divisive characters. When he first appeared in Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace in 1999, many viewers weren’t quite sure how to react to him. During the 2025 Star Wars Celebration in Tokyo, Ahmed Best, who played Jar Jar, discussed how some fans can be harsh in their analysis of the films, but this criticism probably stems from a genuine love for the series.

During a discussion at the Tokyo event named “Heroic Sidekicks of Star Wars,” Best expressed that it had been an emotional up-and-down journey, similar to riding a roller coaster. This event also included Anthony Daniels and another cast member who played characters C-3PO and K-2SO in the Star Wars saga. A video clip of Best’s remarks was shared on the official Star Wars channel.

Best: The Actors are Fans, too

In a straightforward manner, Best stated, “There’s an obvious issue that needs addressing – some dedicated ‘Star Wars’ fans can be quite intense. This impacts us deeply because the influence you wield over our work, something we’re extremely passionate about, is more significant than you might realize.

In Alan Tudyk’s own words, he and himself grew up admiring Anthony (the actor likely being referenced as ‘Anthony’) and his films. Back then, there was no means to join the Star Wars universe; there simply wasn’t a way in. Reflecting on his role in those movies, Tudyk confesses that he’s still puzzled about how it all happened. He honestly can’t explain why he ended up in these films.

Through his experiences in the movies, he came to understand their significance to the fans. “I can’t explain why I was chosen for the path I walked through these films. Yet, it showed me something profound: We are all part of a remarkable group of people who genuinely cherish these tales.

Star Wars is “Very Personal”

Ahmad Rashad, the actor who played Jar Jar, acknowledged and dealt with the criticism he’s faced over time. He explained, “I had to find a way to store even the negative feedback… I needed to understand that such comments stem from care, though it may sound unusual. After all, Star Wars is deeply cherished by each of us. We all desire our own version of Star Wars on screen, and sometimes what we see on the big screen doesn’t match exactly with what we envisioned in our minds.

He went on to explain, “When things aren’t quite right in the scenes we present, there’s often a response. However, those who create these narratives for you are deeply invested in your experience. We empathize with you, not just as colleagues eager to keep producing content, but as fellow spectators, sharing the same excitement as you, staring at that screen and yearning to be a part of this world. That’s why we value your feedback and strive to avoid becoming too cynical in today’s social media era.” He further clarified that some critics might think, “Ah, they don’t truly care, and this is Disney, and that was George (Lucas), and those were the prequels, and those were the sequels, not as good as the originals.

“We Really Care”

As a passionate movie reviewer, let me express that when it comes to crafting films, we genuinely pour our hearts and souls into every frame. It’s not just a job for us; it’s a labor of love. You can truly sense that we care deeply about creating these movies, and we equally care about the experience you have while watching them.

Speaking as a film enthusiast, I must confess that this actor hails from an exceptionally modest background. His mother, in her quest to create a touch of sci-fi magic for him, would regularly visit the fabric store to purchase Star Wars materials and craft items such as bedsheets for him.

He expressed that we’re supporters just as we’re involved, and emphasized that although it might seem overused, he conveyed to the fans, “You collectively hold the ability to continue creating these projects. Indeed, you do.

The Star Wars franchise is streaming on Disney+.

Read More

2025-04-21 18:12