The actor who played Jar Jar Binks in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace has claimed that Michael Jackson originally wanted to portray the character in the film.

Ahmed Best recently spoke to Vice about the much-hated role, with the character widely regarded as one of the most annoying characters of film history.

In the interview, Best elaborated on comments he made on Reddit last year about Michael Jackson wanting to play Binks.


“That’s what George told me,” he said. “Me, Natalie Portman, and George’s kids – we were at Wembley Arena at Michael Jackson’s concert. We were taken backstage and we met Michael. There was Michael and Lisa Marie [Presley]. George introduced me as ‘Jar Jar’ and I was like, ‘That’s kind of weird’. Michael was like, ‘Oh. OK.’ I thought, ‘What is going on?'”

He continued: “After Michael had driven off, we all go back up to a big afterparty. I’m having a drink with George and I said, ‘Why did you introduce me as Jar Jar?’ He said, ‘Well, Michael wanted to do the part but he wanted to do it in prosthetics and makeup like ‘Thriller’.’ George wanted to do it in CGI. My guess is ultimately Michael Jackson would have been bigger than the movie, and I don’t think he wanted that”.

During the same interview, Best says that he doesn’t regret or feel guilty for his role.

“At the end of the day, it is the movie business, and if the character doesn’t work for the people who watch the movie then the character doesn’t work,” he reasoned. “I can’t take that personally”.

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The next Star Wars film, JJ Abrams’ Star Wars: The Force Awakens is due on December 18 this year.

Check out a behind-the-scenes reel released at San Diego Comic-Con earlier this month here.