Many people remember Jar Jar Binks as the annoying character that almost sank Star Wars. Binks appeared in the first prequel movie, and most audiences did not like him.
Yet, when Star Wars fans speculated about Binks being a Sith in disguise, Jar Jar became a more interesting character. Instead of a bumbling fool, Binks could be secretly deadly.
What if Darth Binks was The Rise of Skywalker’s antagonist? If Jar Jar Binks was a Sith lord in hiding, he would have jump-started the film and franchise.
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Who Was Jar Jar Binks?
Jar Jar Binks was an outcast from his home planet of Naboo who became Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn’s apprentice. In The Phantom Menace, Binks was a clumsy Gungan who seemed lost and confused most of the time.
Jar Jar evolved into a military commander and politician who aided Queen Padme Amidala. He served in the Galactic Senate and became an advisor to Padme. Hence, he became more central to Star Wars.
Yet, the main purpose of this character in the first prequel movie was to provide comic relief and capture younger children’s attention. Jar Jar failed in both respects.
Despite serving a valuable role, audiences and movie critics disliked Jar Jar Binks, with claims that it was a stereotypical character.
Yet, the theory that Jar Jar could be a Sith lord working with Palpatine changed much of this outlook.
Was Jar Jar Binks a Sith Lord?
Jar Jar Binks shifted from an annoying and possibly offensive character with a theory posted on Reddit in 2015.
After scrutinizing Jar Jar Binks in The Phantom Menace, the theory described how Binks had “unusual physical coordination” and martial arts abilities. During the Battle of Naboo, Binks also dodged laser blasts as if he knew they were coming.
Binks also used hand motions when he spoke, like a Sith or Jedi, including in a pivotal scene in Attack of the Clones where he convinced the Senate to empower Palpatine. This act prompted the idea that the two were working together.
Instead of mistakenly contributing to the rise of Darth Sidious, Jar Jar could have intentionally been working to bring it about.
Other sources have chimed in about Jar Jar being a Sith. This video explores Jar Jar’s background and his potentially incredible, dark power. Lurking behind an unlikable fool could have been a powerful Sith lord.
Jar Jar also seems to use Jedi mind tricks with Sebulba. With a wave of his hand, Binks stops Sebulba from attacking him. Jar Jar likewise may have pulled this stunt with Queen Amidala, convincing her to attack the Trade Federation on Naboo.
Jar Jar could have thus been involved in plotting the rise of the Sith and possibly the greatest villain of Star Wars. If Binks was this supervillain in disguise, then he could have been the main antagonist in The Rise of Skywalker.
What If Darth Binks Was the Antagonist of The Rise of Skywalker?
If Darth Binks was the antagonist in the final sequel movie, we may have seen a more threatening villain. He would have emerged from the shadows as a tremendous surprise.
Fans also think he would have been more threatening because he was alive and could live for a long time. Darth Sidious was a cloned version of himself and many thought he should have stayed dead after his fall down the reactor shaft.
Palpatine’s reemergence has been an area of criticism for the sequels. Along with The Rise of Skywalker not working, the Emperor’s return lacked credibility and seemed like an ill-conceived plot device.
Bringing out Binks as the antagonist Sith Lord would be more compelling, or at least more original.
Supreme Leader Snoke was also a primary antagonist in The Force Awakens and possibly could have been carried forward into The Rise of Skywalker. Snoke’s connections to the dark side made him a threatening and scary figure.
In comparison, Darth Binks does not appear to be as worthy of an antagonist. Yet, on closer inspection, he would have been more so.
For one, going from clumsy, poor comedian to Sith Lord is an unexpected turn of events. This move would surprise audiences more than Palpatine’s reawakening.
Two, if Jar Jar worked with Palpatine before taking his place, that move would reflect another level of ingenuity and fearsomeness.
Three, Four, and Five, Jar Jar’s emergence would prove that he infiltrated the Senate, gave power to Palpatine, and was using the Force with his hand gestures. These revelations would have bolstered not only The Rise of Skywalker, but the prequels too.
Darth Binks as the Antagonist
Jar Jar Binks began as a humble, bumbling, wayward character who aided the Republic. Yet, this presumed stumbling fool could well have been the most powerful Sith in disguise.
You can detect evidence of Darth Binks in the prequel movies. If Jar Jar emerged as the main antagonist in The Rise of Skywalker, this development could have provided an original foe for Rey, Luke Skywalker, and the Resistance.
This move may have resulted in a stronger reception to this last Star Wars movie and prompted reconsideration of the prequels.
Todd Wahlstrom is a creative and analytical freelance writer and life-long Star Wars fan who has expanded into writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He has written about recent shows such as The Mandalorian and Andor and classic topics like Darth Vader, the Jedi, and Boba Fett. His recent articles include the MCU’s Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor. Todd is the author of a non-fiction book, holds a Ph.D. in history, and enjoys hiking, running, and reading about science.