George Lucas‘ favorite Star Wars character is actually one of the most controversial, one who was originally subject to a mᴀssive backlash. George Lucas is undoubtedly one of the greatest creators of all time, a genius who dreamed up an entire galaxy. 28 years later, we’ll still playing in his sandbox.

Everyone has their own opinion on the best Star Wars characters. Darth Vader is a legend, Yoda’s legacy continues to this day through Grogu, and who can forget Luke and Leia? But Lucas harbors a particular love for the prequels, where his own creative impulses were relatively unchecked. And his favorite character is a surprise.

George Lucas Revealed His Favorite Star Wars Character Six Years Ago

He Made A Surprising Choice

Speaking at a fan event marking the 20th anniversary of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (via the BBC), Lucas confirmed this is “one of my favorite movies.” He then added, “of course Jar Jar is my favorite character.“

Lucas singled out Ahmed Best, who played the character, for particular praise. “Ahmed, you did a fantastic job,” Lucas continued, remembering a vocal backlash against the Gungan at the time of the movies’ release. “It was very, very hard.“

Other stars of The Phantom Menace aired their love for Best and his character during the movie’s 25th anniversary celebrations last year. “Ahmed was so funny and inventive,” Liam Neeson recalled in an interview with Empire. “Myself and Ewan [McGregor] were personally hurt and offended by the critical reaction to the character.“

Ahmed Best Still Loves Star Wars – & He’s Back

The Mandalorian Offered Him Another SH๏τ

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Ahmed Best returned to Star Wars as Jedi Master Kelleran Beq, a prequel era Jedi who was featured in the Star Wars: Jedi Temple Challenge YouTube gameshow back in 2020. What nobody expected, though, was for Kelleran Beq to actually make his way to the small screen.

Kelleran Beq appeared in The Mandalorian season 3, in flashback scenes that revealed he was the Jedi Master who rescued Grogu from Order 66 during the events of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. Beq’s story has yet to be told, but – appropriately enough – there were subtle hints he’s tied to the Naboo.

This was portrayed as a redemption for Ahmed Best, but I can’t help thinking the opposite is the case; that, because of the way Star Wars fans treated him back in 1999, this is actually the franchise’s redemption. Still, Best can at least be pleased to know he’s always played George Lucas‘ favorite character.