The Mandalorian: Kelleran Beq Wouldn't Have Turned Out How He Did Without Ahmed Best
Contains spoilers for "The Mandalorian" Season 3, Episode 4 — "Chapter 20: The Foundling"
This week's episode of "The Mandalorian" featured a triumphant "Star Wars" return, with Ahmed Best making his way back to a galaxy far, far away. The actor left the franchise after severe backlash from playing Jar Jar Binks, so his return as Jedi Master Kelleran Beq is not only a worthy comeback but one of the franchise's greatest redemptions.
It turns out Best was the mastermind behind his Jedi Master, creating the character and collaborating with Lucasfilm to bring him to life. "I went in deep with Kelleran Beq," he told StarWars.com. "It's really special to me. Kelleran Beq was a character in name that I created, I came up with, was really encouraged by the 'Jedi Temple Challenge' team and the StarWars.com team. Everyone was just so graceful in embracing my crazy ideas and bringing it forward, and to see that then migrate over to 'The Mandalorian' is really super special."
Best worked closely with costume designer Shawna Trpcic on Beq's robes, including meaningful sentiments within the outfit. The Jedi's robes and tunic feature gold detailing with elements of Best's tribal tattoos and Afrofuturism, which he teaches a course on at Stanford.
Ahmed Best developed a unique view of the force for Kelleran Beq
If you thought Ahmed Best's dedication to Kelleran Beq ended there, you're sadly mistaken, as the actor went as far as to create a new perspective on the Force for his character.
In the same interview, Best stated, "To me, the Force is not just this thing that Jedi tap into when they want to throw something heavy. The Force is this thing that is constantly moving. You're always interacting with it. I see it as like, if you're under water and you're moving through water, that's what it feels like moving with the Force. So trusting the Force means trusting that these ebbs and flows of this feeling, you can move with."
The water analogies are in full swing with Best's description of Beq's usage of the Force. In the episode, the Jedi rescues Grogu from Order 66, fighting off waves of clone troopers in the process. However, fans can see that Beq knows where the soldiers are coming from seconds before they appear on-screen. He explained to StarWars.com, "The waves of the Force are moving me before they even show up," allowing the Jedi Master to react quicker because he knows what is about to happen. Best called this the Jedi's "ability to surf the Force." He rides the waves of the Force masterfully, allowing himself and Grogu to escape.