That headline is not a joke. Robert Pattinson, star of the now completed Twilight Saga, said in a recent interview (posted by IGN) that not only would he love to be in Star Wars: Episode VII, but his character of choice would be Jar Jar Binks.
Well okay, maybe not his first choice, but he’d be willing to play Jar Jar, and since probably no other actor in the world would, it ought to be his first choice if he wants any hope of getting in the films.
Pattinson was originally asked if he’d be willing to join another franchise now that Twilight is complete. He replied:
“Yeah, I think it’s a powerful thing. You look at something like Star Wars. No one’s going to call Star Wars a franchise. Just after the new ones. [Laughs] The first three, that was a series, not a franchise.”
He was then asked if he would be interested in a part in Star Wars.
“In Star Wars? Oh, absolutely. In a heartbeat.”
Even if that role was Jar Jar Binks?
“I actually kind of like Jar Jar. I don’t understand what the big deal is about Jar Jar.”
In the weeks since the announcement of Episode VII, we’ve heard whether just about every, director, actor, producer, costume designer, caterer, etc… is interested in getting involved with the film. It’s becoming a bit excessive at this point, so hopefully decisions start getting finalized soon, purely so the speculation can stop.
As to Pattinson actually playing Jar Jar? Well if that happens Disney has failed Star Wars. Not that Pattinson absolutely shouldn’t be involved in some aspect, if the right role was there he could be a good addition, but if Jar Jar comes back fans will be sorely disappointed.
Plus, saying he likes Jar Jar probably isn’t a good reputation builder for a guy best known for playing a vampire mocked by almost everyone who isn’t a teenage girl.
As Qui-Gon said, “The ability to speak does not make you intelligent. Now get out of here.”