Peter Mayhew, who played Chewbacca in 1977’s Star Wars, passed away earlier this week. The news was revealed today via Peter Mayhew’s Twitter account. Not only did the actor play Chewbacca, Harrison Ford’s sidekick, in the 1977 film that started it all. He also returned to play the role alongside Harrison Ford’s Han Solo for every Star Wars film up until 2015’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
After the news broke about Peter Mayhew’s death earlier today, Harrison Ford sent his official statement to The Hollywood Reporter. This is what Harison Ford had to say about the unfortunate passing of Star Wars legend Peter Mayhew.
“Peter Mayhew was a kind and gentle man, possessed of great dignity and noble character. These aspects of his own personality, plus his wit and grace, he brought to Chewbcca. We were partners in film and friends in life for over 30 years and I loved him. He invested his soul in the character and brought great pleasure to the Star Wars audience.”
Harrison Ford continued by remembering Peter Mayhew’s dedication to the Star Wars fanbase.
“Chewbacca was an important part of the success of the films we made together. He knew how important the fans of the franchise were to it’s continued success and was devoted to them. I and millions of others will never forget Peter and what he gave us all. My thoughts are with his dear wife Angie and his children. Rest easy, my dear friend….”
Star Wars: The Force Awakens wasn’t just Peter Mayhew’s final outing as Chewbacca, it also marked the last appearance of Harrison Ford as Han Solo. Harrison Ford’s iconic Star Wars hero perished in the film but Peter Mayhew’s Chewbacca continues on in the Star Wars franchise, including this year’s Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
Peter Mayhew’s lovable wookie is now played by actor Joonas Suotamo. Harrison Ford also passed on his Han Solo role to Alden Ehrenreich, who appeared alongside Suotamo in 2018’s Solo: A Star Wars Story, though the film’s box office earnings make the actor’s future in the young Han Solo role uncertain.
What are some of your favorite Star Wars moments featuring Harrison Ford and Peter Mayhew? Would you like to see Harrison Ford return to the Star Wars franchise somehow? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Directed by J. J. Abrams, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker stars Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Joonas Suotamo, Billie Lourd, Naomi Ackie, Richard E. Grant, Keri Russell, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Ian McDiarmid and Billy Dee Williams. Carrie Fisher will appear as General Leia Organa through the use of previously unreleased footage shot for Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker will be released in theaters on December 19, 2019.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
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The film will also be set in Central City.