When Stars Wars Episode I hit theaters in 1999, fans of the series were torn. While no Star Wars fan can claim that they weren't at least intrigued by a young Darth Vader, many believed that George Lucas should not have directed the film. If Darth Maul is the one shining light in Phantom Menace (that last lightsaber battle with Obi-Wan and the accompanying music was epic), then Jar Jar Binks would be the enormous dark spot.
Besides the fact that many saw Jar Jar Binks as a racist take on Black people, he was just an awful character regardless. His comic relief went past just a few moments of banter and extended to an entire storyline. Clumsy, loud, and probably unnecessary, Jar Jar Binks was ripped apart by fans and critics. Ahmed Best, the actor who portrayed Jar Jar in the film, took to Twitter to reveal that all the backlash from playing the role forced him into a dark place. "20 years next year I faced a media backlash that still affects my career today. This was the place I almost ended my life," wrote Best on a post that features a picture of himself overlooking a body of water. "It’s still hard to talk about. I survived and now this little guy is my gift for survival. Would this be a good story for my solo show? Lemme know," he concluded.
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