Jar-Jar Binks Actor Ahmed Best Offers New Details on the STAR WARS: JEDI TEMPLE CHALLENGE Game Show
A few months ago, we reported that Disney+ was developing a new game show series called Star Wars: Jedi Temple Challenge, which is being hosted by Jar-Jar Binks actor Ahmed Best with a sidekick droid who is being voiced by actress and comedian Mary Holland. The game show will bring in young contestants who will “face tests of ability in the core Jedi principles of strength, knowledge, and bravery while facing obstacles in an attempt to achieve the rank of Jedi Knight.”
Here’s what Lucasfilm’s senior director of Online Content and Programming, Mickey Capoferri said about the show:
“This is definitely a kids game show like no other. The various challenges will test a Padawan’s connection to the Force in three locations — a forest planet, on board a Jedi star cruiser, and inside a Jedi Temple — immersing them and the audience in a fun, humorous, and exciting competition.”
This sounds pretty awesome! And now we have a bit more information, courtesy of Best. In an interview with Jamie Stangroom on YouTube, Best confirmed that he is portraying an actual Jedi master in the show from within the Star Wars mythology, and not just an actor dressed up in robes. He also talked about what he believes is missing from the current Star Wars world:
“This is the thing I think Star Wars is falling short of now: there really isn’t very much to believe in anymore. The lack of faith in the mythology is really the thing I find to be missing. We don’t talk about the Force anymore in the Star Wars movies. We’re really about lineage and legacy and line and technology. But the thing that made Star Wars work was the Force. There were two sides: the light side, and the dark side. But we all believed in the Force…that’s what worked in the Lucasverse when it came to Star Wars.”
He continued:
“So with Jedi Temple Challenge, it brings back this idea that we all have levels of connection to the Force, and you can actually grow your connection to the Force and it can become stronger through these trials at this temple. All of those things that Yoda did with Luke Skywalker at Dagobah in the swamp, this is where it was done first. It was in this temple. You got to get good here. I dig that. It’s something I think would be wonderful for kids. Because now there’s a path to this thing…Now there are actual steps you can take to being a strong Jedi. It gives you belief and faith.”
I think this show is going to be a ton of fun! My kids love game show revivals like Double Dare, and this sounds similar to Legends of the Hidden Temple, but has the Star Wars element to make it even more exciting and appealing! I can’t wait for this show to hit the streamer. I think the whole family will dig it for sure.
Jedi Temple Challenge was set to debut sometime this year. We still don’t have a date set in stone, especially now due to setbacks from COVID-19, but we will keep you posted. Are you excited for this show?