There is little doubt that Star Wars: A New Hope had an excellent ending that saw Princess Leia Organa presenting Han Solo and Luke Skywalker with Rebel Alliance medals. However, some also noticed that Chewbacca wasn't given a medal although he was clearly part of the ceremony. So why didn't the Wookiee get a medal? George Lucas has an excellent explanation.
According to ScreenRant, Lucas had actually addressed the issue right after the premiere on A New Hope in 1977. The director revealed that it was Chewbacca who wasn't interested in the medal in the first place.
"Chewbacca wasn't given a medal because medals don't really mean much to Wookiees. They don't really put too much credence in them. They have different kinds of ceremonies. The Wookiee Chewbacca was in fact given a great prize and honor during a ceremony with his own people. The whole contingent from the Rebel Alliance went to Chewbacca's people and participated in a very large celebration. It was an honor for the entire Wookiee race."
It's a complicated answer that somehow suggests that Lucas had plans for Chewbacca and the other Wookiees. Was the Star Wars mastermind hoping to produce a film that would focus on Wookiee traditions? That certainly would be an interesting idea.
Although Lucas had an excellent answer for why Chewbacca didn't get a medal, actor Peter Mayhew thought of a simpler reason for the snub.
"One, they didn't have enough money to buy me a medal," Mayhew said. "Or two, Carrie couldn't reach my neck, and it was probably too expensive to build a little step so that I could step down or she could step up and give me the medal."
Either answer certainly works but we're still hoping to learn more about Chewbacca and the Wookiees in the future.
Related: Star Wars: Episode IX Leak Teases Scene Between Luke Skywalker And Young Ben Solo
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