The Mandalorian Unveils the Jaw-Dropping Return of This Star Wars Actor

The decision to bring back Ahmed Best, known for his role as Jar Jar Binks, in The Mandalorian series on Disney Plus was not taken lightly. Despite enduring harsh criticism from toxic fans over the years, Best finally received the recognition he deserved. In the third season of The Mandalorian, there were several notable guest appearances, but many fans found Best's portrayal of Jedi Master Kelleran Beq (nicknamed "The Sabered Hand") to be particularly enjoyable and satisfying. In a flashback, Beq was shown as the one who saved young Grogu during the Jedi Order's Order 66 purge. Best had previously appeared as Master Beq while hosting the Star Wars children's game show Jedi Temple Challenge. So, what was the inspiration behind including this character in The Mandalorian?

Disney Plus recently released new behind-the-scenes information about the series through Disney Gallery: The Making of The Mandalorian Season 3. This exclusive content sheds light on why showrunners Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau selected Best's Jedi Master, known for his lightsaber skills, to make a cameo appearance alongside Grogu. Filoni explained, "We wanted Grogu to have a mentor figure who came before Mando, and it had to be a Jedi. It was important to us to choose someone who would have a significant impact, and it's always special when that person is a part of the Lucasfilm family. Someone who has represented Star Wars, engaged with the fans, and carried the Star Wars legacy. Ahmed Best has played such a crucial role in our Star Wars journey."

Best's deep connection to the Star Wars universe, coupled with his expertise in martial arts, played a pivotal role in the creation of his Jedi character, Kelleran Beq. This unique combination of factors greatly influenced the decision to incorporate Best into The Mandalorian series. His personal investment in the character not only added significance to the rescue of Grogu, but also paved the way for the beloved character to eventually find his way to Din Djarin, also known as "Mando."

Favreau explained that the decision to further explore Grogu's story was driven by the need to tell more chapters of his journey. Having already provided glimpses of Grogu's memories and his escape from the Jedi Temple in previous episodes, Favreau and the team felt compelled to continue unraveling this story in a series of smaller chapters. It was essential for them to determine the logical progression of Grogu's narrative and explore what would likely have happened next.

The "likely thing" became a hot topic in recent Star Wars history, generating much discussion. Although the destruction of the Darksaber holds significant importance in the canon, Best's comeback has brought joy to countless fans. Regrettably, many of these fans had previously engaged in harassing Best, but eventually recognized their errors as he deserved better treatment. Let's hope that this marks the beginning of a fantastic journey for this beloved and passionate star.

You can stream The Mandalorian seasons 1-3 on Disney Plus.

Source: Disney Gallery: The Making of The Mandalorian (via IGN)