Though Order 66 was an attempt to rid the The Mandalorian, Grogu’s memories reveal his rescue at the hands of Jedi Master Kelleran Beq. Now, the comic Star Wars: Jedi Knights plans to tell fans more about the mysterious Jedi.
In an in-depth interview with Marc Guggenheim, author Star Wars: Jedi Knights – which will feature art by Madibek Musabekov – more details about the new anthology series from Marvel Comics were revealed. While the series will feature legendary figures such as Yoda, Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon Jinn, and Mace Windu, it will also highlight new and lesser-known characters.
That includes Kelleran Beq, played in his live-action Mandalorian appearance by Ahmed Best, who previously starred in the Prequels as Jar Jar Binks, with the hero's role in Jedi Knights officially confirmed.
Kelleran Beq's Cameo In "The Mandalorian" Set The Stage For An Exciting Future In The Star Wars Expanded Universe
His Next Appearance Is Set For The Jedi Knights Comic
Marc Guggenheim offered several tantalizing tidbits about his Star Wars: Jedi Knights, including the fact that one issue will focus on a brand-new adventure featuring Kelleran Beq. The response to Kelleran Beq upon his debut in The Mandalorian “Chapter 20: The Foundling” was overwhelmingly positive, particularly since the role marked Ahmed Best’s return to Star Wars since his portrayal of Jar Jar Binks. Though Beq’s appearance in The Mandalorian was short, his impact was substantial, leaving many questions about his character history that the new comic series can explore in further detail.
Star Wars Announces New Series That Will Bridge Return of the Jedi and The Mandalorian
Marvel's "Star Wars" comics are making their long-awaited jump into the post-Return of the Jedi part of the timeline, filling in gaps in the franchise
In the same interview on “Star Wars Explained,” Guggenheim stated that his series will delve into individual storylines of different Jedi Knights:
My story is about the Jedi Knights, sort of at the height of their powers, pre-Phantom Menace. The way the book works is [that] it’s a little bit like the old Marvel team-ups where we'll get different combinations of Jedi in each issue, and each issue is done in one. Each one’s like its own little mini Star Wars movie.
With news of Beq becoming part of Guggenheim’s Jedi roster, the opportunity to learn more about Grogu’s mysterious savor is an exciting prospect. However, since Star Wars: Jedi Knights is before The Phantom Menace, it is unlikely that fans will get answers surrounding Beq’s appearance during Order 66, which happened during Revenge of the Sith. Considering Grogu is older than he appears, it’s possible that Beq had an established relationship with the padawan during the comic’s timeline.
Ahmed Best's Return To Star Wars Made His New Jedi Hero An Instant Fan-Favorite
Kelleran Beq Quickly Became A Beloved Hero
Ahmed Best’s exiting return to the Star Wars universe as Beq sent ripples through the fandom, marking one of the most exciting moments of season 3 of The Mandalorian. Best has been open about his struggles after portraying Jar Jar Binks in the prequel trilogy, and the intense backlash he received from fans. In an interview with StarWars.com, Best discussed stepping back into Star Wars at the invitation of Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni:
Honestly, I had to think about it. I’ve been in the Star Wars world for such a long time and my story is such a rollercoaster ride of emotions. So, coming back to Star Wars wasn’t an easy decision for me. It wasn’t something I could have immediately said yes to. I did have to marinate over it for a bit. I mean, I was excited.
I don’t think people really understand how much I care about Star Wars. Like, I really care. I really, really care about the storytelling, about the mythology, about the fans. I really want Star Wars to deliver, and if I become an obstacle to that, then I shouldn’t be in it. I don’t want to be bigger than the story. I don’t want to be bigger than the mythology. I want to contribute, I want to add to it. So it took me a minute. I was still nervous, but it was really Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni, and being with them, that made me want to come back.
The reaction to Best’s appearance as Beq proved that Star Wars fans were just as ready for his return.
For three seasons of The Mandalorian, so many questions regarding more questions were generated. Fans still want to know whether Grogu was Beq's Padawan, or what Beq's larger role in the Jedi Order was, or where the two went after escaping Coruscant. Though these questions will not be answered in Star Wars: Jedi Knights, the chance to learn more about Beq’s earlier life is highly anticipated.
Star Wars: Jedi Knights #1 will be available March 5, 2025 from Marvel Comics.
Sources: StarWarsExplain on X; The Future of Star Wars Comics; Ahmed Best on His Surprise Return as Kelleran Beq in The Mandalorian
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The Mandalorian
- Created by
- Jon Favreau
- Films
- The Mandalorian & Grogu
- First TV Show
- The Mandalorian
- First Episode Air Date
- November 12, 2019
- Cast
- Pedro Pascal, Carl Weathers, Gina Carano, Giancarlo Esposito, Nick Nolte, Taika Waititi, Emily Swallow, Ming-Na Wen, Temuera Morrison, Rosario Dawson
- Spin-offs
- The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew
"The Mandalorian" is a live-action Star Wars television series set in the post-Empire galaxy, five years after the events of "Return of the Jedi." The series follows the adventures of a lone bounty hunter, Din Djarin, who becomes the protector of a mysterious child known as Grogu (popularly referred to as "The Child" or "Baby Yoda"). Combining elements of Westerns, samurai films, and classic Star Wars lore, "The Mandalorian" has become a cultural phenomenon, praised for its storytelling, character development, and visual effects.
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- Created by
- George Lucas
- First Film
- Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
- Cast
- Mark Hamill, James Earl Jones, David Prowse, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Ian McDiarmid, Ewan McGregor, Rosario Dawson, Lars Mikkelsen, Rupert Friend, Moses Ingram, Frank Oz, Pedro Pascal
- TV Show(s)
- The Mandalorian, Andor, Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka, The Acolyte, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, Lando, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels, Star Wars: The Bad Batch, Star Wars: Resistance, Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures, Star Wars: Visions
- Movie(s)
- Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi, Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens, Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi, Star Wars: Episode IX- The Rise of Skywalker, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Solo: A Star Wars Story, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi, Star Wars: New Jedi Order
- Character(s)
- Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Rey Skywalker, Emperor Palpatine / Darth Sidious, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ahsoka Tano, Grand iral Thrawn, Grand Inquisitor, Reva (The Third Sister), The Fifth Brother, The Seventh Sister, The Eighth Brother, Yoda, Din Djarin, Grogu, Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader, Leia Organa, Ben Solo/Kylo Ren
Star Wars is a multimedia franchise that started in 1977 by creator George Lucas. After the release of Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope (originally just titled Star Wars), the franchise quickly exploded, spawning multiple sequels, prequels, TV shows, video games, comics, and much more. After Disney acquired the rights to the franchise, they quickly expanded the universe on Disney+, starting with The Mandalorian.
