Fortnite is getting a Star Wars Battle Royale with Darth Jar Jar

Star Wars is once again descending on Fortnite. This time, it’s through the Star Wars-themed Galactic Battle, a new Battle Royale season that starts May 2nd and features Darth Jar Jar and the debut of Force Lightning, a new in-game ability. The news was appropriately revealed at Star Wars Celebration in Japan. As with most Fortnite seasons, this one had been heavily rumored in the runup. For the uninitiated, Darth Jar Jar is a goofy fan theory that holds that Jar Jar Binks was secretly a Force user and possibly the real villain of the Star Wars prequel trilogy. [Media: https://youtu.be/VtWmZaWVQDM?t=686] Ahmed Best, the voice of Jar Jar Binks since Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace, said on stage at the event that he improvised some Darth Jar Jar lines for the portrayal. When asked to list any of his favorites, he said, “‘I am the phantom menace’ was totally [improvised],” adding that the line was something he’s “been meaning to say for over 20 years.” Galactic Battle will include X-Wings and TIE Fighters that players can pilot, themed maps, and “all-new Item Shop offerings including Mace Windu.” Players will also be able to buy put their hard-earned Fortnite V-Bucks towards a Star Wars-themed Battle Pass with characters like Emperor Palpatine and Wookiee Cuddle Team Leader. Galactic Battle will play out over five weeks with different themes leading up to a narrative live event. Here’s the schedule, from StarWars.com: > Imperial Takeover – May 2, 2025 > The Pull of the Force – May 8, 2025 > Mandalorian Rising – May 22, 2025 > Star Destroyer Bombardment – May 29, 2025 > Death Star Sabotage – June 7, 2025 Of course, this is far from the first collaboration between the two pop culture behemoths. There have been Star Wars skins in the game dating back to 2019, and last year Star Wars elements spread throughout the entire Fortnite ecosystem, including its Lego and rhythm game spinoffs. Fortnite’s current season has a heist theme, and has featured celebrity cameos from the likes of Shohei Ohtani and Sabrina Carpenter.