Disney+ Unveils LEGO Star Wars Special Featuring Darth Jar Jar

by Annika May 22, 2024

– Disney+ introduces “LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy,” featuring Darth Jar Jar, a twist on the character from “The Phantom Menace” in an animated special.
– The special follows Sig Greebling’s adventure after discovering a powerful artifact, leading to a galaxy where roles are reversed and he must become a hero to restore order.
– The series celebrates 25 years of collaboration between Lucasfilm and LEGO, with a four-part special voiced by original Star Wars actors and set to premiere on September 13.

Disney+ is set to unveil a surprise that’s sure to excite both long-time Star Wars aficionados and new fans alike. The much-anticipated animated special “LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy” hints at an intriguing plot twist: Darth Jar Jar, a Sith Lord iteration of the controversial Gungan character, Jar Jar Binks.

Introduced in 1999’s “The Phantom Menace,” Jar Jar Binks quickly became one of the Star Wars saga’s more divisive figures. Initially framed as a well-meaning but clumsy sidekick, the character’s infantile demeanor did not resonate with all parts of the fanbase. However, the trailer for this new special teases a darker version of Jar Jar, potentially turning the character on his head and giving depth to a figure that has been the subject of much fan speculation and alternative fan theories.

The premise of “Rebuild the Galaxy” introduces us to an ordinary character named Sig Greebling, voiced by Gaten Matarazzo, who stumbles upon a powerful artifact within a hidden Jedi temple. The discovery catapults Sig into the middle of a topsy-turvy adventure where the delineation between heroes and villains becomes blurred, calling on him to become the hero who can rearrange the pieces of this jumbled universe.

The enduring logic of a character like Jar Jar Binks being a concealed antagonist has simmered in the fan community for years. This fan theory has gained traction, with many supporters imagining it as a narrative measure to enhance Jar Jar’s character arc. Disney+’s new special appears to playfully nod to this theory and takes it forward by fully reimagining the character as a menacing Sith Lord like never before.

Disney+ Unveils LEGO Star Wars Special Featuring Darth Jar Jar

Enhancing the special’s authenticity, original Jar Jar actor Ahmed Best returns to voice the character, providing a layer of continuity that fans are sure to appreciate. Mark Hamill’s involvement as the voice of LEGO Luke Skywalker further adds to the sense of legacy and continuity with the Star Wars canon.

Showrunners and executive producers Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit express their enthusiasm, equating the opportunity to collaborate on this project with LEGO and Lucasfilm to a dream realized. Their lifelong affinity for both LEGO Star Wars sets and the Star Wars narrative itself is evident as they describe the meticulous care taken in crafting this story “brick by brick.”

This animated special marks another chapter in the successful partnership between Lucasfilm and the LEGO Group, a collaboration that for the past quarter century has consistently captivated imaginations through a fusion of intergalactic storytelling and playful creativity. The executive producer, James Waugh, celebrates this iconic union by noting the ‘playful spirit’ that LEGO Star Wars has inspired, allowing fans to engage interactively with the Star Wars universe.

A promise of fresh narrative possibilities and unprecedented combinations of iconic elements, from “Imperial X-fighters” and “Rebel TIE-wings” to the “Darth Jar Jar,” has been made. The LEGO medium distinctively allows such creative diversity, blending humor and imaginative play in novel ways.

Set to debut on September 13, “LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy” extends an invite to audiences to experience a playful, innovative re-envisioning of the beloved galaxy. Whether it will live up to fans’ high expectations or reshape the image of one of the saga’s most debated characters remains to be seen, but the anticipation is undoubtedly mounting. This series signifies more than just a whimsical spinoff; it is a loving homage to a cultural phenomenon – an imaginative convergence of story and medium, character and creator that continues to thrive through its partnership with LEGO.