THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: A 'VERY ODD' GUNGAN!

Jar Jar Binks. Hesa back!

"George (Lucas ) made a movie for kids. That was always the idea, and they love it. What hasn't really been explored in all of this is how serious I am about the character. Some people look at Jar Jar as this novelty act, that he's there just to get a laugh. That's just disrespectful to George, to me and to everybody involved in the film. Jar Jar was probably one of the most complicated characters ever to be created in movie history. It was the first time somebody had said, "I'm going to do a completely digitally animated character which looks like and is voice by a live-action actor." That's not easy to do. A lot of work was put into him and a great deal of respect was paid to the character's creation."

Ahmed Best - STARLOG magazine interview (1999)

Early character art from Doug Chiang.

Character studies for Jar Jar by Iain McCaig from 1996.

More character studies.

Ahmed Best talks Jar Jar:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoGHuGW6yo4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNYK5lhAzvg

A selection of character maquettes for Jar Jar, as displayed at the STAR WARS IDENTITIES exhibition. Image: Chris Baker.

Jar Jar character introduction TV spot (1999):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bG93Ek0Mzr4&list=PLw8ep6cYzDhoQfQavCbfLMa-oyambJX_X&index=7