Star Wars Shocker: Michael Jackson Wanted to Play Jar Jar Binks

King of Pop wanted to do the role in "Thriller"-like prosthetics and makeup

By McKenna Aiello Jul 24, 2015 7:07 PMTags
Michael Jackson, Jar Jar BinksJustin Sullivan/Pool/Wireimage/LucasFilm

The King of Pop could have played one of the most hated characters in Star Wars history. 

Or at least he wanted to.

In a recent Vice interview, Ahmed Best, the actor who played the first computer generated character in the franchise, revealed that Michael Jackson approached director George Lucas in hopes of taking on the Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace role with the help of prosthetics and makeup similar to that of his "Thriller" video. 

After meeting Jackson backstage at a concert with Lucas and co-star Natalie Portman, Best said, "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?'"

At an after party the 41-year-old actor says he confronted Lucas about the odd interaction, which Lucas explained was a result of him disagreeing with Jackson over how Jar Jar would be brought to life.

"George wanted to do it in CGI," Best explained. "My guess is ultimately Michael Jackson would have been bigger than the movie, and I don't think he wanted that."

Although it's up to speculation whether or not Jackson's portrayal would have changed fans' perception of Jar Jar, Best says he never took the criticism personally. 

"At the end of the day, it is the movie business, and if the character doesn't work for the people who watch the movie then the character doesn't work," he said. 

For now Star Wars junkies are anticipating the Dec. 18 release of Stars Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens with veterans Harrison FordCarrie Fisher and Mark Hamill. 

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