Fortnite is preparing to release one of their coolest characters skins yet. Look out Darth Jar Jar, because the most popular “Galactic Battle Season” is upon us! This fan-created meme character, who became an internet sensation after a 2015 post on Reddit, comes to Fortnite on May 2. The announcement sent fans into a frenzy at the Japanese Star Wars Celebration 2025 event. It was a pretty magical experience for Fortnite fans and Star Wars fans alike.
Darth Jar Jar is rooted in a popular fan theory suggesting that Jar Jar Binks, the clumsy Gungan from the Star Wars prequels, is actually a powerful Sith lord. If you subscribe to this theory, like I do, he’s been pulling the strings on major events and players all across the saga. The theory sparked an international craze. Since then, it has continued to be a catalyst for amazing pieces of fan art and an explosion of youtube.com videos that explore this non-traditional story.
Since the meme’s start, Darth Jar Jar has turned into a case study of creativity in the Star Wars fandom. Aside from the fan art, the character came into official existence last year with his introduction as a Lego Minifig. This decision only cemented its status in the pop culture lexicon. The character’s introduction to Fortnite further cements this trend, as it taps into the freewheeling but still creative nature of fan designs.
Beyond a skin, Darth Jar Jar will be included through leadership roles in Fortnite socials. He will unlock special powers, such as being able to shoot Force Lightning from his fingertips! This provides a really interesting gameplay dynamic to the character that has captured the imagination of experienced players and newer players both. There are tons of new characters to unlock, including the Emperor! Star Wars battle pass This nice little feature quickly makes the game feel much more inclusive and accessible!
The inclusion of Darth Jar Jar in Fortnite is a perfect example of a growing movement. This trend is largely focused on normalizing fan theories and analysis in mainstream media. Most importantly, it acknowledges the fierce Star Wars fanbase. It delivers a new take on a 4th-wall-breaking character who’s been much maligned lately. By positioning Darth Jar Jar as a Sith lord, Fortnite pays homage to its fanbase while simultaneously expanding its universe.