Friday, July 24, 2015 6:23am ET by  
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Michael Jackson wanted to play Jar Jar Binks in Star Wars film

The actor who played Jar Jar Binks in the Star Wars movie series has revealed that Michael Jackson initially wanted the part.

Ahmed Best brought the CGI character to life in 1999's Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace.

However, the actor told Vice that Jackson had originally put himself forward for the role, with the singer wanting to do it in make-up.

Best said: "Me, Natalie Portman, and George Lucas' kids - we were at Wembley Arena at Michael Jackson's concert. We were taken backstage and we met Michael.

"There was Michael and Lisa Marie [Presley]. George introduced me as 'Jar Jar' and I was like, 'That's kind of weird.' Michael was like, 'Oh. OK.' I thought, 'What is going on?'.

"After Michael had driven off, we all go back up to a big afterparty. I'm having a drink with George and I said, 'Why did you introduce me as Jar Jar?'. He said, 'Well, Michael wanted to do the part but he wanted to do it in prosthetics and make-up like Thriller'. George wanted to do it in CGI.''

Best added that he felt the Star Wars crew worried that casting Jackson may have overshadowed the film.

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Watch Michael Jackson in action below: