Latest news with #Gungan
Gizmodo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
‘Andor' Put So Many Easter Eggs in Luthen Rael's Shop
You knew about the 'Indiana Jones' one, but did you see the winks at 'Revenge of the Sith' and 'Phantom Menace'? One of the many, many things that makes Andor so great is that it's uninterested in fan service. There are no gratuitous cameos. No wild, broad connections. First and foremost, creator Tony Gilroy wanted to tell an emotional, impactful, and timely story of heroism and hope, which just so happened to be in the world of Star Wars. But that doesn't mean other members of his team didn't want to have a little fun, and the set and prop designers did just that. In the first season of Andor, fans instantly noticed that Luthen Rael's shop on Coruscant was filled with recognizable and clever winks and nods to Star Wars and Lucasfilm projects of the past. The most famous, of course, were the Sankara stones from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, but Luthen also had Sith artifacts, Mandalorian armor, and more. All of which made sense. Luthen, after all, does deal in rare artifacts and antiquities, so he would be interested in acquiring and selling things of this nature. This season, that was taken up a notch, and the official Star Wars website has a post breaking it down. Like, for example, Luthen has a Sith Chalice on display, much like the one Palpatine had in his office in Revenge of the Sith. There's a Kalikori, a prized Twi'lek family heirloom, much like the one we've seen from the Syndullas in Star Wars Rebels. There's a Royal Naboo headdress that looks very similar to one Queen Amidala wore in The Phantom Menace (shouldn't Bail Organa have picked this one up to hold for his daughter?). Finally, there's even a Gungan skull. Which Gungan? We don't know, but I'm sure many of us have a few top choices. You can see images of those and more all over at The same article also reminds us of everything from Andor season one, including a Jedi Temple Guard mask, like the ones from Star Wars: The Clone Wars; a Gungan shield as seen in The Phantom Menace; and another Naboo headpiece, this one resembling one Padme wore in Attack of the Clones. Again, Bail, why didn't you buy these? The best part about all of this is it has nothing to do with the story. There's no impact on Luthen and Kleya's work in the shop. No smoking gun to solve a problem. It's just there to remind you this story is happening in a world where all of this other stuff happened too. Both seasons of Andor are streaming on Disney+. You can see the above artifacts most specifically in episodes five and 10 of season two, as well as four, five, and seven of season one.
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
How to complete Jar Jar Binks quests in Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 3
Image via Epic Games Fortnite's collaboration with Star Wars continues to expand, and this time it brings the galaxy's most eccentric Gungan into the mix. Jar Jar Binks has landed on the island, and helping him out in Chapter 6 Season 3 could earn you a generous XP boost. The Jar Jar Binks quests are part of the Galactic Battle event in Fortnite and offer both fun and rewards. Here's how you can complete the full set of tasks tied to this quirky character. Where to find Jar Jar Binks in Fortnite? To get started, you'll need to find Jar Jar Binks on the island. He's located near a small riverside house, just between Foxy Floodgate and the Burd to Go gas station. Once you approach him, select the 'Help Troopers' dialogue option to begin the Found Quest, which consists of four tasks in total. Fortnite Complete Story Quests - How to EASILY Complete Jar Jar Binks Found Story Quests Each stage you complete will reward you with 30,000 XP, amounting to a total of 120,000 XP. Step-by-step guide to completing Jar Jar's Found quest 1. Collect a fish: Near Jar Jar's house, you'll find a barrel containing Fishing Rods. Pick one up and head down to the nearby river. Cast your line, wait for it to bob, then reel it in. You only need one fish, but make sure to collect it from the water. 2. Throw the fish inside a republic outpost: Keep the fish in your inventory and travel to any Republic Outpost. These are mainly found in the southeast section of the map near Masked Meadows and Kappa Kappa Factory. Once inside an Outpost, throw the fish onto the ground to complete this task. 3. Use sprays inside a republic outpost: Don't leave just yet. While still inside the Outpost, open your Emote wheel and select a Spray. Apply it on any surface nearby. You can use any Spray you've unlocked, though a Clone Trooper Spray is a thematic fit. 4. Report back to Jar Jar Binks: With all tasks completed, return to Jar Jar at his original location and interact with him again. This final step will wrap up the quest and deliver your last dose of XP. For casual players and Star Wars fans alike, this short but quirky questline offers a great blend of humor, nostalgia, and useful rewards. Whether you're grinding XP or just helping a clumsy Gungan cheer up Clone Troopers, this quest is a win-win. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Darth Jar Jar to join Fortnite universe with v35.10 Star Wars update
Image via Epic Games Fortnite's ever-expanding universe is about to get even more chaotic and exciting. In its upcoming v35.10 update, scheduled for May 15, Epic Games is introducing a wave of fresh Star Wars content, including one of the internet's most infamous theories turned reality - Darth Jar Jar. According to credible leakers and insiders, players can expect a slew of new cosmetics, themed weapons, and gameplay enhancements tied into the ongoing Galactic Battle season . While force powers and lightsabers have already been part of recent gameplay updates, the highlight of this week's patch appears to be the long-awaited arrival of Darth Jar Jar Binks. Darth Jar Jar joins Fortnite after years of speculation First teased in the Galactic Battle trailer, Darth Jar Jar is a dark twist on the quirky Gungan character from the Star Wars prequels. Originally born as a fan theory suggesting Jar Jar Binks was secretly a Sith Lord, the character now makes his way into Fortnite's multiverse in skin form. Though Epic Games has not officially confirmed a release date, reliable sources suggest that Darth Jar Jar and other Star Wars-themed cosmetics will start appearing in the game following the May 15 update. Players could even see two different Jar Jar Binks skins, including a LEGO Fortnite version, hinting at Epic's plan to extend his reach across multiple game modes. What else is coming on May 15? Leakers like ShiinaBR have pointed out several other additions coming with the v35.10 update. The Mandalorian Jetpack, Wookiee Bowcaster, and CA-87 Jawa Scatter Blaster are all expected to be added to the loot pool. These will provide players with new ways to counter melee-based attacks like lightsabers, offering better balance during combat. Epic may also introduce more character skins, including a possible new variant of General Grievous, along with Icon Series emotes and potential crossover content. While the exact downtime has not been revealed, updates typically begin around 4 AM EDT, with servers going offline briefly for maintenance. Speculation is already heating up about what comes next for Fortnite, with rumors suggesting that Chapter 6, Season 3 could take a sharp turn toward a superhero-themed storyline. Prominent leakers like HYPEX have hinted at upcoming files pointing to capes, enhanced abilities, and skin designs that could tie in with either original heroes or even another major collaboration. For now, Fortnite fans will be glued to the Item Shop, eagerly awaiting the official drop of Darth Jar Jar and whatever surprises Epic still has up its sleeve before the next chapter begins.
Daily Record
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
'I played Jar Jar Binks in Star Wars and what happened after was horrifying'
The 1999 release of Star Wars Episode I - The Phantom Menace was a monumental event, with fans eagerly awaiting the backstory of Darth Vader's rise to infamy. However, upon its release, the film faced harsh criticism for its performances, storyline, and heavy use of CGI, with the character Jar Jar Binks receiving particular disdain. Seen by some as merely irritating and by others as an offensive racial caricature, the backlash against the CGI character was intense. Ahmed Best, the actor behind the maligned Gungan, suffered greatly under the weight of public disapproval. "It was the lowest I've been in my life," he confessed in a 2023 interview with the Guardian. The vitriol escalated to the point where Best received death threats after his personal contact details were leaked. Overwhelmed by the constant barrage of hate, he found himself on Brooklyn Bridge one night, contemplating ending his life. He recalled thinking, "I'll show all of you. I'll show you what you're doing to me. And when I'm gone, then you'll feel exactly what I went through.", reports the Mirror US . Fortunately, Best reconsidered his tragic plan and has since made a successful comeback to the Star Wars universe, appearing alongside the beloved Baby Yoda. Ahmed, a former Stomp performer, landed a role in the first of the Star Wars prequels, where he claimed to have outshone even Michael Jackson for the part. Ahmed brought to life Jar Jar Binks, one of the pioneering fully-CGI motion capture characters on film, marking a significant technical milestone. Speaking to The Guardian, he reflected on the groundbreaking nature of his work: "We were doing something that was going to change cinema history," and added, "Even the software was written on my body. There's still that legacy code in CGI packages today. My physical DNA is in every single CGI character since." However, the negative reception to Jar Jar led to writer and director George Lucas reducing the character's presence in subsequent films. His character had a diminished but crucial role in the sequel and only made a fleeting appearance without dialogue in the third instalment. Ahmed commented on his altered trajectory in the franchise, "Here I am, a significant character who changed movies, and then I'm a footnote – I barely appear,". Highlighting what he feels were the racial undertones of the backlash, Ahmed believes discrimination played a part: "Culturally, black invention has been repeatedly erased from history and that is an injustice," he asserted. Calling attention to an ongoing issue within the industry, he noted, "Since 1997, no other black man has ever played a main CGI character and that's a travesty. That has to change and I hope that is recognised." Following a difficult period after the Star Wars prequels, Ahmed threw himself into martial arts, earning a black belt in jiu-jitsu, as well as focusing on production, direction and fatherhood. In 2018, Ahmed bravely shared his past struggles with suicide, posting an image of the Brooklyn Bridge with the caption: "This was the place I almost ended my life. It's still hard to talk about. I survived and now this little guy [his son] is my gift for survival." Ahmed's courage in sharing his story resonated with countless fans, particularly those who grew up with the prequels. These films, once heavily criticised, have grown in affection among audiences. A prevalent online speculation even posits that Jar Jar Binks was initially slated to be unveiled as the true mastermind behind the Sith conspiracy – the titular 'Phantom Menace' – though this notion was supposedly dropped due to negative feedback to his character. In a triumphant comeback, Ahmed returned to the Star Wars universe, appearing in the third season of Disney+'s 'The Mandalorian', portraying the valiant Jedi Knight Kelleran Beq. In a pivotal twist, it's revealed that Beq saved Grogu, also known as Baby Yoda, from the Empire's grasp just in time, securing his place as a consequential character in the saga. This marked a redemptive turn for an actor whose relationship with Star Wars had brought significant challenges. Ahmed shared with the Guardian, "It really felt good. As an artist, I lost my confidence for so many years, but The Mandalorian gave me that affirmation of 'You were always doing the right thing ... It wasn't you.'" He also expressed his hope to continue his journey in the Star Wars universe and didn't dismiss the possibility of reprising his most contentious role. "I would never say never," he stated. "I don't feel like Jar Jar's story was ever closed." However, he added, "But right now, I would like to explore more Kelleran Beq. I'd love to do a Star Wars martial arts show – like a Jedi John Wick."
Irish Daily Mirror
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
'Most hated' Star Wars actor's very different life after devastating reaction
The 1999 release of Star Wars Episode I - The Phantom Menace was a monumental event, with fans buzzing over the saga's revival and the backstory of Darth Vader. However, the film faced harsh criticism for its performances, storyline, and heavy use of CGI, with the character Jar Jar Binks becoming particularly infamous. Seen by some as merely irritating and by others as an offensive caricature, Jar Jar Binks drew intense backlash. Ahmed Best, the actor behind the maligned Gungan, suffered greatly under the weight of public disdain. "It was the lowest I've been in my life," he confessed to the Guardian in 2023. The loathing for Jar Jar was so extreme that Best received death threats after his contact details were leaked. He recounted a harrowing night where he stood on Brooklyn Bridge, contemplating ending his life, thinking: "I'll show all of you. I'll show you what you're doing to me. And when I'm gone, then you'll feel exactly what I went through." Fortunately, Best reconsidered his plan and has since made a celebrated comeback to the Star Wars universe, sharing the screen with the beloved Baby Yoda, reports the Mirror US. Ahmed, a former performer with the dance troupe Stomp, was cast in the first of the Star Wars prequels - reportedly even beating Michael Jackson to the role. Jar Jar Binks, one of the first fully-CGI motion captured characters in film, was a significant technical achievement. "We were doing something that was going to change cinema history," he shared with the Guardian. "Even the software was written on my body. There's still that legacy code in CGI packages today. My physical DNA is in every single CGI character since." However, following the backlash to the character, writer and director George Lucas reduced Jar Jar's role in the subsequent two films. He has a small, but crucial, role in the second part, and appears only briefly, without any lines, in the third. "Here I am, a significant character who changed movies, and then I'm a footnote – I barely appear," he expressed. Ahmed believes that at least some of the backlash to Jar Jar was rooted in racism. "Culturally, black invention has been repeatedly erased from history and that is an injustice," he stated. "Since 1997, no other black man has ever played a main CGI character and that's a travesty. That has to change and I hope that is recognised." After facing a steep downturn in his career post Star Wars prequels, actor Ahmed took up martial arts where he achieved a black belt in jiu-jitsu. Not just stopping there, he ventured into producing and directing, while also embracing fatherhood. It was an emotional revelation in 2018 when Ahmed shared his brush with death, posting: "This was the place I almost ended my life. It's still hard to talk about. I survived and now this little guy [his son] is my gift for survival." The brave confession was met with a wave of support from fans who had grown up with the prequels. The films, once criticised, have seen a Renaissance among younger viewers who embraced them as part of their youth. There's even an internet rumour that Jar Jar Binks was supposed to be the evil genius behind the fall of the Jedi Order, hinted at in the 'Phantom Menace' title. Redemption came on Disney+'s The Mandalorian season three, where Ahmed made an unexpected comeback as Kelleran Beq, a valiant Jedi Knight pivotal to the Star Wars narrative. Revealed to have saved Grogu—popularly known as Baby Yoda—from the Empire just in time, Ahmed's character became etched into Star Wars legacy, offering a triumphant return for an actor who once lost much to the galaxy far, far away. Ahmed told to the Guardian about his revived confidence, saying, "It really felt good," and explaining that "As an artist, I lost my confidence for so many years, but The Mandalorian gave me that affirmation of 'You were always doing the right thing ... It wasn't you.'". And he harbours hopes for his continued journey in the Star Wars universe - not discounting even a comeback as his most divisive character. "I would never say never," he remarked. "I don't feel like Jar Jar's story was ever closed. "But right now, I would like to explore more Kelleran Beq. I'd love to do a Star Wars martial arts show – like a Jedi John Wick."
