The actor who played Jar Jar Binks in three Star Wars films thinks he knows what's wrong with the latest trilogy.
"This is the thing I think Star Wars is falling short of now: there really isn’t very much to believe in anymore," actor Ahmed Best told pop culture writer Jamie Stangroom. "The lack of faith in the mythology is really the thing I find to be missing. We don’t talk about The Force anymore in the Star Wars movies."
"We’re really about lineage and legacy and line and technology," Best said. "But the thing that made Star Wars work was The Force. There were two sides: the light side, and the dark side. But we all believed in The Force -- that’s what worked in the Lucasverse when it came to Star Wars."
The latest trilogy of films have expanded on the powers of The Force, which now includes abilities such as physical healing, long-distance telepathic communication and even withstanding the vacuum of space.
Best's Jar Jar Binks first appeared in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace and was reviled by many fans. The character had a greatly diminished role in the prequels' next two films.
Best will return to Star Wars in a different role, as host of the upcoming Disney+ children's game show Star Wars: Jedi Temple Challenge. The show will immerse young contestants in the Star Wars universe, allowing them play the role of Padawans and compete to hone their Jedi skills. Star Wars: Jedi Temple Challenge will air later this year.