It’s pretty well known that Michael Jackson was a big Star Wars nerd, he even had life size versions of Darth Vader and C-3PO in his Neverland Ranch. That’s basically of the norm for Star Wars mega nerds I guess but since it was Michael Jackson, he wasn’t just a regular fan. MJ was such a big fan of the films that he almost played the part of Jar Jar Binks in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. By now, everyone knows that Michael did not get the part.
According to Ahmed Best, the actor who won the role of Jar-Jar in the films, Jackson wanted to play the role and had actually been talking with George Lucas about making it happen. Best tells VICE that MJ wanted to wear prosthetics much like what he did in the “Thriller” video, but Lucas was set on having the character be CGI. He also goes on to say how Jackson’s celebrity status may have overshadowed the film itself.
Me, Natalie Portman, and George’s kids — we were at Wembley arena at Michael Jackson’s concert. We were taken backstage and we met Michael. There was Michael and Lisa Marie [Presley]. 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? After Michael had driven off, we all go back up to a big afterparty. I’m having a drink with George and I said, “Why did you introduce me as Jar Jar?” He said, “Well, Michael wanted to do the part but he wanted to do it in prosthetics and makeup like ‘Thriller.’” George wanted to do it in CGI. My guess is ultimately Michael Jackson would have been bigger than the movie, and I don’t think he wanted that.
The strangest part about this story? This isn’t the first time Best has mentioned Jackson wanting the role. Last year during a Reddit AMA Best brought up the story but most people didn’t take him seriously because let’s face it, MJ playing Jar Jar Binks seems kind of crazy. It makes sense The King of Pop didn’t get the part; he would overshadow the film’s popularity for sure and we’d probably forever know Episode I as “The One With Michael Jackson.”
(via Consequence of Sound)
