Star Wars Celebration 2019 sees its fourth and final day today in Chicago. And one of Monday’s highlights was the 20th-anniversary panel for Episode I: The Phantom Menace. Palpatine star Ian McDiarmid and Darth Maul actor Ray Park were in attendance, followed by C-3PO star Anthony Daniels and Jar Jar Binks actor Ahmed Best. Star Wars fans were particularly kind in their applause for the latter, after he opened up on his struggle with suicidal thoughts last year. Many chanted, “Ahmed! Ahmed! Ahmed!”, as he came on stage.
Wiping tears from her eyes at the panel, she said: “It’s really overwhelming. Hi, hello, thank you!”
Director JJ Abrams said: “I was grateful to [The Last Jedi] director Rian Johnson for so many things he did in Episode 8.
“The greatest was casting Kelly Marie.”
Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker is released in UK cinemas on December 19, 2019.