Star Wars Secret: How Jar Jar Binks Star Helped Create Yoda’s Epic Fight!

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As a devoted movie enthusiast and Star Wars aficionado, I found myself utterly captivated by “Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones.” In the latest season of the enlightening documentary series, Light & Magic, it was revealed that the film’s epic battle sequence bore an unexpected influence.

Delving into the fascinating history and groundbreaking special effects of Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), this documentary series has already shed light on iconic films like Star Wars, Jurassic Park, and Terminator. This second season, however, takes a closer look at ILM’s pioneering digital effects department – a group that played a pivotal role in making George Lucas’ vision for the second Star Wars trilogy a reality. Remarkably, this was accomplished almost 15 years after the release of “Return of the Jedi.”

This newfound knowledge has only deepened my admiration for the masterful craftsmanship behind these beloved films and the incredible journey they represent.

One significant transformation in the Star Wars prequel trilogy concerned Yoda, who was initially presented as a puppet operated by the renowned Frank Oz in the original trilogy. However, in the prequels, Yoda’s character took on a new dimension, representing his peak of power. To convey this, Yoda’s movements needed to be expressive and powerful. The first instance of Yoda wielding his lightsaber against Count Dooku in Attack of the Clones is particularly iconic, and it turns out that one Star Wars actor played a surprising part in creating this scene, as revealed by Light & Magic.

Ahmed Best’s Influence Was Bigger Than Jar Jar Binks

Ahmed Best is primarily recognized for his portrayal of Jar Jar Binks in Star Wars, but his impact on the prequel trilogy extended beyond that. In particular, when it came to planning Yoda’s fight against Count Dooku, Rob Coleman, an accomplished animation supervisor at ILM, found himself under pressure. It was then that Best stepped in, offering his assistance:

“As I observed Rob strolling across the set, I asked him casually, ‘So, how are you planning to execute this Yoda battle?’ To which he responded, ‘I haven’t a clue.’ No one has ever witnessed Yoda in motion. This scene promises to be the climactic moment of Attack of the Clones. Allow me to assist you in shaping this fight sequence.

Coleman: “Ahmed studied martial arts. He’s also a huge anime fan.”

Best: “So I said, ‘Come to the crib. We’ll watch some videos.’”

Coleman shared with me a few scenes from a samurai animated series, and we chatted about various martial arts techniques.

Best: “Like Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan and stuff.”

“It’s all becoming overwhelming for me. But after watching Swordsman II, that Jet Li movie with the ninjas, they started levitating in mid-air. Suddenly, my fear vanished… poof! And now I can visualize Yoda.

“I emphasized to Rob, ‘If you don’t connect again, he must assume a stance.’ It should be something like the iconic Bruce Lee pose, swift and powerful.

Episode I – The Phantom Menace, the actor continued to express enthusiasm towards Star Wars. In the documentary, you can observe his infectious excitement during discussions about the filming experience and being involved with the franchise. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that he played a role in creating one of the most memorable duels within the Star Wars universe.

I am proud to attest that he truly deserves the recognition for his relentless dedication and effort. A significant aspect of his exceptional skill lies in his deep understanding of movement and martial arts, which plays a crucial role in showcasing his talent. Being spotlighted as Jedi Master Kelleran Beq in Light & Magic is not just an achievement, but a significant leap forward in his career, further enhancing his status within the martial arts world.

Yoda’s First GCI Battle Needed To Be Extraordinary

Best and Coleman recognized that Yoda’s initial action-packed sequence should make a profound impact on viewers. Above all, it was crucial to demonstrate why Yoda was revered as one of the most potent Jedi, not merely due to his age or intelligence, but because of his extraordinary bond with and command over the Force. Presenting Yoda in combat against Dooku immediately after Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker had been swiftly defeated by Darth Sidious’ apprentice served to underscore the vast disparity in power among the three Jedi.

The same point holds true for Yoda’s handling of Dooku’s Force lightning, which he not only withstands but also counterattacks. Coleman even compared Yoda’s stance to Bruce Lee’s during their fight scenes. Every move, whether it be a strike, jump, or somersault, is filled with meaning, and the impact of anime and Japanese samurai films is evident in every frame. Coleman’s influence extends beyond his portrayal of Jar Jar Binks – Star Wars has always been a collaborative effort, and this crucial scene from Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones serves as a testament to that fact.

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The Mandalorian and Grogu May 22, 2026
Star Wars: Starfighter May 28, 2027

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2025-04-18 21:40