With original Chewbacca actor Peter Mayhew being too old to keep playing the character, Lucasfilm has hired Joonas Suotamo to take on the role moving forward. During an appearance in The Star War Show, Suotamo gives a short crash-course on how to play a Wookie, and reveals it's more than just being a tall guy in a Wookie suit.
Suotamo's interview starts at 3:54:
Apparently, Suotamo had to undergo a "Wookie Boot Camp" where Mayhew taught him how to play the character properly. Apparently, you have to keep your head completely stiff when you play the part, and when Chewie pushed buttons on the Falcon, he makes lazy swats at the control panels.
Though Mayhew was called back to play Chewie in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Suotamo had been asked to fill in for the more physically demanding roles. Now Suotamo looks to be playing Chewie full time, with Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Solo, and most likely the upcoming Star Wars Episode IX.
Chewbacca returns in Solo: A Star Wars Story on May 25.
See Also: Star Wars: Chewbacca Actor Comments On The Impact Of Han Solo's Death
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