Jar Jar Binks (Gungan)
sw0017 · Star Wars
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace / Episode I · 1999 - Debuted with the initial launch of the LEGO Star Wars license, specifically in the Gungan Swamp set (7121).
Figure ID
sw0017
Theme
Star Wars
Year Released
1999 - Debuted with the initial launch of the LEGO Star Wars license, specifically in the Gungan Swamp set (7121).
Rarity
Common to Uncommon. While it is over 20 years old, it was produced in very high quantities during the massive Episode I marketing push.
Head
Unique molded tan Gungan head with protruding eyes and long floppy ears. It is made of a single piece of plastic with minimal yellow eye printing.
Torso
Tan torso with a simple vest and belt pattern printed on the front. No back printing. Features tan arms and red hands.
Legs
Standard reddish brown legs with no printing. The hip piece color matches the legs.
Accessories
None included in image. Originally often came with a chrome silver spear or a Gungan energy ball (Gungan Booma) in official sets.
Color Scheme
A palette of Tan (skin and vest), Reddish Brown (pants), and Red (hands). The red hands are a notable, somewhat stylized color choice for this era.
Printing Details
Basic pad printing on the torso front and eyes. By modern standards, the detail is low-resolution and lacks shading or back detail.
Variants
This is the 'Classic' version. A later version (sw0301) was released with printed pupils and more detailed tunic graphics.
Condition Notes
The molded ears are prone to tip-wear or bite marks. The red hands are easily swapped; one hand in the image appears to be a different shade or slightly stressed/damaged.
Estimated Value
Used: $4.00 - $8.00 USD. New/Mint: $12.00 - $20.00 USD. Value is held primarily by nostalgia rather than scarcity.
Price (New)
N/A (Included in sets ranging from $6.00 to $50.00 USD in 1999-2001).
Compatible Sets
7121 Gungan Swamp (1999), 7115 Gungan Patrol (2000), 7161 Gungan Sub (1999).
Character Background
Jar Jar Binks, a Gungan from Naboo who becomes a general and later a galactic senator. He is a central, albeit polarizing, figure in the Star Wars Prequel trilogy.
Design Notes
One of the first 'unique' head molds in the Star Wars line, breaking from the standard cylinder minifigure head to capture the alien's distinct silhouette.
Similar Minifigures
sw0301 (Updated Jar Jar), Gungan Soldier (sw0018), and Aldar Beedo (sw0015) which utilized similar tan molded parts.
Collectibility
High for 'completionist' Star Wars fans or those collecting 1999-era 'pioneer' figures. It is iconic of the early LEGO movie-licensing era.
History
Launched the same year LEGO Star Wars began. It represents a turning point where LEGO began creating custom molds for specific licensed characters.
Interesting Facts
The red hands were intended to represent the character's skin tone peeking through sleeves, though modern figures use flesh tones or more accurate tan/coral hues.
Display Suggestions
Best displayed on a gray baseplate (as shown) or in a Naboo swamp MOC alongside a Gungan Sub or STAP droid.
Modification Potential
Commonly used for 'Darth Jar Jar' custom figures or repurposed for MOCs requiring alien-looking biology or tan organic parts.
Overall Assessment
A quintessential piece of LEGO history. While simple by today's standards, it is an essential character for any 90s/00s LEGO collector.