Star Wars directors explain return of Jar Jar Binks actor in The Mandalorian

The Mandalorian season 3 was chock-full of Clone Wars and Rebels references, but none quite as exciting as the cameo of Ahmed Best.

Best, who played and voiced Jar Jar Binks in all three Star Wars prequels and The Clone Wars, returned to the franchise as a surprising new character. Jedi knight Kelleran Beq appeared in a flashback where we finally see who saved a young Grogu during the purge of Order 66.

After facing years of fan criticism for portraying Jar Jar Binks, Best got to enjoy a much-deserved spotlight as a hero as he fought off clone troopers to flee with Grogu in a Naboo ship.

However, the decision to cast Best in the Disney+ show was not taken on a whim.

In the recently released Disney Gallery: The Making of The Mandalorian Season 3, showrunners Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau offered some insight into Ahmed Best’s cameo.

It was decided that Grogu’s savior before Din Djarin would be a Jedi, Filoni said, and that Best’s history with the franchise made him the perfect choice for the role (via IGN).

"We needed Grogu to have a type of savior companion that preceded Mando and that it would be a Jedi. And then it becomes important to say, ‘Well, who is that?’ ‘Cause that’ll be a big deal. And for me, it’s always nice when it’s somebody ‘in the family’ here at Lucasfilm. Someone that’s been out there representing Star Wars, interacting with the fans, carrying the banner. And Ahmed Best has been such an important part of our Star Wars history."

Favreau further explained how Best’s martial arts training and existing Star Wars legacy played a key factor in making the call.

Best had previously appeared in Star Wars as Master Beq while hosting the children’s game show, Jedi Temple Challenge.