Jar Jar Binks actor reacts to his surprise return to 'Star Wars' in the latest episode of 'The Mandalorian': 'Good to be back'
- Major spoilers ahead for "The Mandalorian" season three, episode four, "The Foundling."
- "The Mandalorian" answers a vital question about Grogu's mysterious past.
"The Mandalorian" continues to widen the "Star Wars" universe through the adventures of Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and Grogu, as they go up against the remains of the Empire, while the bounty hunter tries to train the adorable green Force user how to survive in the galaxy.
Aside from being adorable, fans have been drawn to Grogu because of the character's mysterious past. He's the same species as the iconic Yoda (Frank Oz), but fans don't know where he came from, or if he's related to the Jedi Master.
But "The Mandalorian" has finally answered the question of how Grogu managed to survive the slaughter of the Jedi in "Episode III - Revenge of the Sith." And the show recruited Jar Jar Binks actor Ahmed Best from the "Star Wars" prequels for a pivotal flashback.
After the episode premiered Wednesday, Best took to Instagram to share a photo of himself in the gym wearing an "Episode I" hat and a shirt with the Jedi symbol on it.
Best thanked "Star Wars" fans for welcoming him back into the universe, saying: "Gratitude! Good to be back. There is so much to say and share. It's going to take a couple of days. But, for now, I'll just say thank you to all that have held me up and made me better."
The actor is best known for playing Jar Jar Binks in the "Star Wars" prequel trilogy, although the wacky alien doesn't make an appearance in "The Mandalorian."
Instead, Best plays Kelleran Beq, a talented Jedi who escorts Grogu from the Jedi Temple and saves him from being gunned down by clone army assailants.
Beq bundles Grogu onto a speeder bike before evading more clones through the skies of Coruscant, eventually landing on a platform and escaping in a ship owned by Naboo soldiers who are presumably loyal to Padme Amidala (Natalie Portman).
The flashback ends with Grogu looking at the bright lights of hyperspace, much like he did when he spotted the Purrgil flying alongside him in Din's ship back in the first episode of "The Mandalorian" season three.
The actor was previously hit with a barrage of abuse from "Star Wars" fans over Jar Jar Binks and the inherent silliness of the character.
Best previously played Beq in the kids' game show "Star Wars: Jedi Temple Challenge," and he's now been folded into the ongoing "Star Wars" continuity.
Since Beq escaped with Grogu, it's entirely possible that Best could return in future episodes of "The Mandalorian."
We still don't know where the little green Jedi spent the rest of his time between "Revenge of the Sith" and "The Mandalorian," so there could be plenty more flashbacks to come.