I've always liked this theory about Jar Jar, and it's fun to look at the little hints that his villainy might have been the original intent. But I suspect that

I've always liked this theory about Jar Jar, and it's fun to look at the little hints that his villainy might have been the original intent. But I suspect that the force (pun intended) that prevented such a thing was merchandising. George Lucas knows how to sell toys, and he likely foresaw the blowback if kids' beloved action figures, posters, etc. suddenly represented an evil character rather than a good one.