Jedi Fans Rejoice: Dave Filoni Unveils Exciting Jedi Return in The Mandalorian Season 3

In The Mandalorian season 3, the audience finally discovers how Grogu, the beloved Star Wars character, managed to survive Order 66 and the Purge of the Jedi Temple. This season also marks the return of Star Wars veteran Ahmed Best, renowned for his role as Jar Jar Binks in Episode I - The Phantom Menace. Despite the mixed reception to Jar Jar, The Mandalorian offers Best another opportunity to portray a memorable Star Wars character, this time as Jedi Master Kelleran Beq, who saves Grogu. Prior to this role, Best had already portrayed Beq in the children's game show Star Wars: Jedi Challenge, where he was known as "The Sabered Hand." As a Jedi who oversaw and trained Younglings at the Jedi Temple, Beq's experience made him the perfect choice to rescue Grogu, raising questions as to how the young character had managed to survive.

Why Lucasfilm Brought Ahmed Best Back For The Mandalorian Season 3

The Mandalorian showrunners understood that it was crucial to address the question of who saved Grogu. In Disney Gallery: The Making of The Mandalorian Season 3, Dave Filoni revealed that they desired Grogu's rescuer to be someone who was closely associated with Lucasfilm. Ahmed Best, who had been a representative of Star Wars, was deemed the ideal choice for this role. Additionally, Jon Favreau explained that the Order 66 subplot would be presented in small sections, hinting at more flashbacks involving Grogu and Kelleran Beq in The Mandalorian season 4.

Favreau also cited another reason for including Ahmed Best in The Making of The Mandalorian Season 3. Best's martial arts expertise made him a suitable candidate, considering that Grogu is one of the few surviving Jedi from the Jedi Temple Purge. It was logical to have a Jedi with exceptional power and skills capable of defeating large numbers of clone troopers as Grogu's savior. Ahmed Best, who portrayed the character Kelleran as "The Sabered Hand," possessed the necessary abilities to convincingly rescue Grogu.

Lucasfilm Made The Right Call Bringing Back Ahmed Best

The Mandalorian season 3 was highlighted by Lucasfilm's decision to give Ahmed Best another opportunity in Star Wars. In The Making of The Mandalorian Season 3, Best expressed his surprise and disbelief at being asked to return to the franchise, considering the negative reception of his previous character, Jar Jar. For Best, the chance to portray a new Star Wars character felt unbelievable. While some fans may have been disappointed by the resolution of their theories regarding Grogu's savior, others are excited that The Mandalorian is finally recognizing Ahmed Best's talent and contribution to the Star Wars universe.