Jar Jar Binks is the most hated character in Star Wars history, but that could’ve been a different story if George Lucas would’ve cast Michael Jackson in the part as the late singer wanted. Ahmed Best, who got the part, told Vice he was not the original choice for the role.
When Best was asked about it, he said, “That’s what George told me. 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?” Then hes added, “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.””
I wish Lucas would’ve gone with Jackson because then I wouldn’t be the only person I know who actually like Jar Jar Binks. Would you have liked him a little bit more if Jackson played him?
