British actor Peter Mayhew will reprise his role as Chewbacca in JJ Abrams’s forthcoming Star Wars: Episode VII, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Mayhew, 69, signalled his intention to play Han Solo’s furry wookie sidekick once again in September. The actor, who stood 2.2 metres tall in his youth, previously starred as Chewbacca in four Star Wars films — the original trilogy that ran between 1977 and 1983, and 2005’s prequel Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.
Disney, which is planning a new series of films after buying all rights to the long-running space opera saga for $4.05 billion (Dh14.8 billion) in October 2012, has not publicly confirmed the casting. There has been speculation this week from fans that Mayhew might have won a return to the film series after he cancelled an upcoming appearance at May’s Comicpalooza event in Texas “due to filming”. The actor has rarely appeared on the big screen outside of his performances in Star Wars.
While the Chewbacca role does not require any dialogue, Mayhew is said to have developed a signature posture as the fiery wookie from observing large animals in captivity. According to Star Wars legend, the actor was replaced temporarily by another tall man during filming of 1983’s Return of the Jedi after falling ill. The stand-in was unable to emulate Mayhew’s style and the scenes subsequently had to be reshot.
The only official character to be 100 per cent confirmed for Episode VII is diminutive droid R2D2. However, Chewbacca’s casting would appear to signal that Harrison Ford’s Solo is set to make his big screen comeback after more than three decades. Original stars Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher are also heavily tipped to return as Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia. Episode VII is expected to centre on the iconic trio from the trilogy of films that hit cinemas between 1977 and 1983, though younger newcomers will likely move centre stage for future instalments.
Disney boss Alan Horn revealed last weekend that Abrams’s film has already begun shooting. It was previously reported to be filming between mid-May and September this year, mainly at London’s Pinewood studios. A Christmas 2015 release is planned.
