Star Wars fans horrified by Jar Jar Binks' father, and we can see why

The subject of Jar Jar Binks' bloodline has become a bit of a running joke amongst Star Wars fans.

Some have theorised, both in jest and in earnest, that Jar Jar is a Sith Lord capable of wielding the Force. Others even believe that, much like Anakin, Jar Jar was conceived through his mother's contact with midi-chlorians and therefore has no father.

As funny as this theory is, the truth is actually funnier - and simultaneously quite depressing. Jar Jar's real father is, according to a story published in issue 20 of the comic Star Wars Tales, actually called George R. Binks.

George was born on Naboo and inherited his family's whaling business/gang from a young age, earning a name for himself as an accomplished fisherman. George fell in love with a Gungan woman named Sheebla, but begrudgingly left her after learning of her infertility. He later met and married an unnamed Gungan woman, and their marriage would result in the birth of Jar Jar.

George did not like Jar Jar. His son was clumsy and incompetent, which resulted in several sailing related accidents. During one particular run in with a particularly large and violent whale, George's ship sank after Jar Jar was unable to properly follow his instructions. George, his wife, and Jar Jar took up shelter on a deserted island nearby and prayed for their rescue.

Jar Jar's father was furious with him for his mistake, blaming him for their predicament. Worse still, Jar Jar's annoying behaviour while they were stranded irritated George further. He eventually encouraged his son to attempt to swim through the treacherous waters so Jar Jar could find help, as George secretly wished that his son would drown, until his wife ultimately forbade it.

George broke down in tears. He was truly a man at the end of his wick. Then, naturally, Jar Jar picked up a nearby shell and began to blow into it. George finally snapped, grabbing his pistol and sticking it to his temple. His wife intervened in an attempt to get George to stop.. "Think of your son" she pleaded.

This was enough to push George over the edge. He pulled the trigger, but ultimately failed in his attempt as recoil caused the bullet graze the side of his head. He was knocked unconscious and began to dream of his former lover Sheebla.

When George finally came to, he noticed Jar Jar was running around the island with a octopus strapped to his head. George then quietly resigned himself to his fate. Both of Jar Jar's parents would pass due to unrevealed circumstance several years later, assumedly after the family escaped the island.

Fans reactions to the seemingly canonical tale of Jar Jar's lineage vary somewhere between dismay and delight. One Reddit user stated that they thought Jar Jar "really doesn't deserve" such a dark backstory, whilst another referred to it as a "hilarious read" and one person even stated that they wanted to "frame this and put it on [their] bathroom wall".

Yet, perhaps the most interesting part of the story is the name of Jar Jar's father. It is almost definitely not a coincidence that the character shares his first name with Star Wars writer, director and creator George Lucas.

The story is most likely a reference to George Lucas' own thoughts on audience's reactions to Jar Jar's character in the Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. Lucas, much like Jar Jar's own father, was repentant about the character when asked about him long after the movie had released.

He stated in an interview that he "thought the character would appeal to kids" and that the team behind the film "wrote him out as fast as we could." Lucas then clarified that they "have no plans to include Jar Jar Binks in any future Star Wars movie, and we don’t plan to change those plans."