Peter Mayhew to return as Chewbacca in Star Wars: Episode VII

Another classic actor and character are returning for STAR WARS: EPISODE VII with the reveal that Peter Mayhew will portray Chewbacca again in the upcoming J.J. Abrams sequel. Neither Disney nor Lucasfilm confirmed the news, but The Hollywood Reporter cites sources saying Mayhew will don the furry costume yet again. Despite the lack of confirmation, Mayhew recently cancelled some convention appearances due to “filming”. Mayhew has not acted outside of the STAR WARS franchise very often, so it is pretty easy to put 2 and 2 together.

We learned over the weekend that filming has already begun on STAR WARS: EPISODE VII and that most of the cast has been confirmed. We have yet to hear who any of the new leads in the film will be but it seems almost a lock that Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, and Carrie Fisher will return to repirse their iconic roles alongside the return of R2-D2 and Chewbacca. Adam Driver is one of the sole actors linked to a role that has not been discounted yet, so he may still be on board as the villain.

STAR WARS: EPISODE VII is formally kicking off production in May, so we could potentially get formal news at that point. Until then, all we know is that the film will take place 35 years after RETURN OF THE JEDI. I just hope that all of the location shooting, rumors of practical sets being built, and the return of these classic actors to their roles means we are finally getting the STAR WARS movie we have been longing for since 1983.

STAR WARS: EPISODE VII hits theaters on December 18, 2015.