Michael Jackson was a dedicated Star Wars fan who kept life-size figures of Darth Vader, Boba Fett and C-3PO at Neverland. He had already collaborated with George Lucas on the 1986 Disney short film Captain EO. So it was not entirely surprising when the King of Pop expressed interest in joining the prequel trilogy.
According to Ahmed Best, the actor who ultimately played Jar Jar Binks, Lucas introduced Best to Jackson backstage after a London concert by calling him “Jar Jar.” The moment left Best confused. Later that night he asked Lucas about the odd introduction.
Ahmed Best Opens up About the Jar Jar Binks Backlash
Lucas explained that Jackson had wanted the role but preferred to perform it in heavy prosthetics and makeup in the style of the Thriller video. Lucas however was committed to creating the character through CGI. Best later reflected that Jackson’s massive fame would likely have overshadowed the film itself and that Lucas preferred to avoid that outcome.
The exchange offers a rare glimpse into how two creative giants approached the same character from completely different directions. Jackson’s vision leaned toward practical effects and transformation. Lucas was pushing the boundaries of digital filmmaking. In the end the CGI route won and Best became the face and motion behind the Gungan.
Michael Jackson’s career was defined by constant reinvention across music, dance, film and performance. He turned Thriller into a cultural phenomenon, sold hundreds of millions of records and brought cinematic ambition to the music video and the concert stage. Moments like this Star Wars near-miss show how far his curiosity stretched and how seriously he took every creative possibility that came his way.
These unexpected connections only add more color to the story of an artist who refused to stay inside expected lanes. Keep exploring the lesser-known chapters of his life and discover just how wide the King of Pop’s universe really was.