CLASSIC IMAGE: THE BUILD-UP TO WAR!

On the green grass plains of Naboo, two enemy forces - one of Trade Federation metal, the other of humanoid Gungan flesh and bone- square up to one another, as the battle for control of the planet and its freedom reaches its zenith point, in this great shot of expectant action from EPISODE I. 

A 'War and Peace' moment that George Lucas would describe to an enthused Steven Spielberg during the film's pre-production in London, 1997.

THE CLONE WARS: A GUNGAN TRAITOR?

Our heroes return to Naboo where they must unravel a conspiracy that sees the Gungan civilisation imperiled by a traitor in league with General Grievous, of which Jar Jar Binks and Captain Tarpals must show more courage and resilience than ever before, in this interesting episode from Season Four: Shadow Warrior.

CLASSIC ART: WARRIORS OF THE PLAINS!

 

Captain Tarpals and his brave Gungan warriors assemble on the plains of Naboo, astride their loyal Kaadu mounts, before their great battle against the Trade Federation begins, in lovely production painting art by Doug Chiang for EPISODE I.

CLASSIC IMAGE: UNDER WATCHFUL EYES!

An almost Planet of the Apes-esque moment from EPISODE I, as Anakin Skywalker, within the grass plains of Naboo, coordinates with a Gungan lookout scout firmly atop an ancient embedded statue, in this terrific visual image from EPISODE I that would mix a model, CGI and live action plate filming with Jake Lloyd to notable effect.

An important look back at EPISODE I from a key former Lucasfilm employee:
https://www.upworthy.com/lucasfilm-insider-phantom-menace-reconsidered

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: THE WAR MACHINES!

Stage two of the Trade Federation attack on the Gungans begins as thousands of Battle Droids are released from cocoon belts to stride forward and break through the enemy shields. Conflict is soon joined between Gungan and machine, as George Lucas showcases the heroism of the primitive over faceless, cold-hearted technology, an idea also shown with Return of the Jedi with the Ewoks and the Empire, and before that with his fascination with the Vietnam War, in his original vision for Apocalypse Now.

"There's nothing like four thousand Gungans fighting four thousand Battle Droids. It's neat."

Dennis Muren - 2001

The Gungan army stands ready...

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)

Best based his character's unique movements on comedian/Silent movies star Buster Keaton (he and Lucas, a film fanatic, would look at all of Keaton's movement and work out which moves they'd like Jar Jar to copy) as well as those of martial arts film star Jackie Chan, whom Best greatly admired.

Best's voice for Jar Jar was one of six that the actor/dancer recorded as demos. When hired, Best didn't know if he would be doing the voice alongside wearing the costume. It was only when the actor arrived for filming at London's Leavesden Studios, and attended the cast read through that he knew he had the voice too, specifically when he impressed young Jake Lloyd and made him laugh with his self-chosen voice (one that Best always did to amuse children) for the character. Best was told during filming by Lucas to not be afraid of going 'too dopey' with the character's realisation.

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

THE CLONE WARS: A DIFFERENT KIND OF COMBAT!

Pathetic and incompetent aliens the Gungan peoples of Naboo are certainly not, as General Grievous discovers to his surprise and cost in battle against them, during events within the intriguing The Clone Wars animated series Season Four episode, Shadow Warrior.

Looking meaner than ever in the Battlefront II game.

It's nice to see the gruesome Prequel saga villain make an impressive recent comeback:

https://www.starwars.com/news/matthew-wood-general-grievous-star-wars-battlefront-ii

https://www.starwars.com/news/general-grievous-star-wars-battlefront-ii

THE CLONE WARS: AN UNLIKELY LEADER, INDEED...

The Clone Troopers are getting used to their new 'leader' in Jar Jar Binks, as their mission to negotiate and release the captured Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan from pirates continues, during the memorable The Clone Wars episode, The Gungan General.

CLASSIC ART: STAP ATTACK!

In the skies of Naboo, STAP flying Battle Droids try and fail to shoot down some Gungan riding air beasts, in this gorgeous production painting art for EPISODE I by the ever-talented Doug Chiang circa 1997.

CLASSIC IMAGE: HESA LIKES THIS!

It was an alliance he once never thought possible, but Gungan leader Boss Nass is now clearly happy to be a part of the battle with the Naboo humans against the trespassing Trade Federation, in a memorable kid friendly comedy moment from EPISODE I.

CLASSIC IMAGE: GUNGAN SURPRISE!

Starting the day with a "brisky early morning munchin'", Gungan outcast Jar Jar Binks's simple life within the forest lands of Naboo is soon interrupted by the sounds of Trade Federation technological might, and the warning cries of a noble Jedi, in his introductory scene from EPISODE I.

With thanks to Ian Trussler for the image.

Developing Jar Jar for EPISODE I:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evekA_s0qhw

CLASSIC IMAGE: A RISING CURRENT...

For years they've kept themselves to themselves in the face of the human presence residing in the dry lands of Naboo, but now the arrival of two Jedi in their underwater city of Otoh Gunga will surely change things immeasurably for the Gungan peoples, in an early scene, and another visually stunning moment, from EPISODE I.

CLASSIC IMAGE: HERE'S ONE FOR YOU, J.J.!

You may hate him, J.J. Abrams, but that other J.J. - Jar Jar Binks - still loves you!

That floppy-eared lovable hero or despicable terror - choose whichever description you feel is most applicable - Jar Jar Binks, gives his thumbs-up to the UK's Telegraph newspaper for its reappraisal of EPISODE I's comedy hero birthed from the vein of Buster Keaton slapstick: The tragedy of Jar Jar Binks

Even J.J. Abrams wanted to kill Jar Jar Binks — and he almost did | Polygon

▶ Benedict does a Jarjar Binks and a Gollum Impression (Extract from Josh Horowitz interview) - YouTube

EPISODE I AT FIFTEEN: WHEN ARMIES COLLIDE!

Out on the grassland plains of Naboo, two mighty armies-one mechanical and one Gungan- meet for a decisive conflict, as the side for good ultimately buys time for its human allies to win the war for Naboo.

Some early but great CGI effects from the industry revolution that was EPISODE I.

BEHIND THE SCENES: JAR JAR'S SPOTLIGHT!

Visor down, Ahmed Best undergoes a camera test for an upcoming scene with Jar Jar Binks, set within the waiting area of Senator Palpatine's office on Coruscant, and filmed at the UK's Leavesden Studios in 1997 for EPISODE I.

In a deleted scene in the office reception area, Jar Jar and Anakin Skywalker sneak off to eavesdrop on the important conversation between Queen Amidala and Palpatine. Though the scene never made the final cut, you can briefly see it occur in background long shot through the glass doors- Jar Jar and Anakin hand-in-hand rushing off.

CLASSIC ART: NABOO's NEW FRONTIER

A worthy visual successor to Ralph McQuarrie, here's Doug Chiang's lovely conceptual art of some Gungan cavalry scouts out on the grassland plains of Naboo-a race of mostly underwater dwellers who would become an important part of the first STAR WARS Prequel: THE PHANTOM MENACE- and in key episodes of the later THE CLONE WARS animated series, mostly via their bumbling representative Jar Jar Binks and the brave Captain Tarpals.

BEHIND THE SCENES: GUNGANS ON CALL...

Getting ready to film their next scene set within the blue screen environs of what will become the watery confines of Naboo's Otoh Gunga, Jar Jar Binks actor Ahmed Best and Steven Spiers, playing Captain Tarpals, are on set at Leavesden Studios, during the 1997 filming of EPISODE I.

CLASSIC IMAGE: THE CLUMSY WARRIOR!

What Jar Jar Binks lacks in intelligence he makes up for with incompetence. Incompetence of the good kind, though, which sees him defeat several Battle Droids within the Naboo grasslands- the staging area for the Battle of Naboo and the Gungan race's fight back, in this scene from EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE, still out in cinemas in 3D. Catch it before it's gone!

Ahmed Best recently talked about the fun, and the trial and tribulations, of playing the CGI creation Jar Jar Binks in the STAR WARS Prequels to ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY. Check it out here: 'Star Wars': I Was Jar Jar Binks | Star Wars Galaxy | EW.com

BEHIND THE SCENES IMAGE: X-GUNGAN!

Wearing the infamous Jar Jar Binks X-MEN-esque head/visor, so as to give actors/ILM animators a visual eye line reference whilst relating to him, Ahmed Best poses for a costume test photo as the often unfairly derided, family audience created Gungan clown for EPISODE ONE: THE PHANTOM MENACE.

For more exhaustive behind the scenes info on the making of EPISODE ONE, check out our definitive special issue on the film here: STAR WARS AFICIONADO MAGAZINE ISSUE 15 - TEN YEARS OF EPISODE ONE!!

OLD FRIENDS, NEW ENEMIES. "THE CLONE WARS" SEASON FOUR

A young Admiral Ackbar, joined with Ahsoka, leads his underwater forces into battle. 

Anakin captured by Dooku!

Padme (in her EPISODE ONE Naboo battle outfit) to the rescue?

Dooku wants revenge on Naboo and the Senator.

The battle re-joined. Anakin versus Dooku part three.

The attack on Naboo continues as the Gungans and Captain Tarpals (?) takes on Grievous... 

And it looks like the General may get his butt kicked!

A mighty space battle above Naboo.

Another dangerous mission to come for our Clone Trooper heroes...

And Rex takes on a dangerous new opponent.