Just a few days ago, production started on the highly-anticipatedHan Solo: A Star Wars Story, with Disney sending out the first fullcast photowith all of the main stars. The announcement also revealed thatJoonas Suotamowill be fully taking over the role of Chewbacca in this long-awaited spin-off, after splitting time with the legendaryPeter Mayhewas Chewbacca onStar Wars: The Force Awakens. Shortly after the cast photo was released,Joonas Suotamoreleased a heartfelt statement to the fans about his portrayal of Chewbacca.
We first metJoonas Suotamoback in January 2016, just weeks afterThe Force Awakenshad opened, where it was revealed that this 29-year-old basketball player from Finland was the actor who wore the Chewbacca suit during all of Chewie’s action sequences, sincePeter Mayhewhas suffered from knee problems for the past several years.Peter Mayhewwas still on board inStar Wars: The Force Awakensfor scenes that weren’t so physically demanding, but now it seems thatJoonas Suotamois taking over the role on his own. The actor took toTwitterto release a heartfelt statement to his fans andPeter Mayhewas he begins his journey as the new Chewbacca.
“I am profoundly grateful for this amazing opportunity to become a part of the Star Wars franchise that I have loved since my childhood. I would like to thank my family, friends, basketball coaches and teammates, fellow cast and crew members, the staff at LucasFilm and Disney, the great fans of this spectacular universe, and especiallyPeter Mayhew. Chewbacca is one of the most iconic characters in the history of film, and Peter’s development and portrayal of this beloved Wookiee has spread so much joy across the globe. Peter’s guidance and kindness have been invaluable gifts which warmed my spirit and prepared me for this journey. I aspire to make Peter proud and bring Star Wars fans the Chewie they know and love. See you in a galaxy far, far away… Wookie fist bump”
Joonas Suotamowas born in Finland before making his way to Penn State University, where he played basketball from 2005 to 2008, and graduated with a film degree. He returned back to Finland to play for his hometown team in Espoo, outside of Helsinki, where he heard from his basketball coach that there is a movie production looking for someone of his height. At 6-foot-11-inches tall,Joonas Suotamois just slightly shorter than the 7-foot-2-inchPeter Mayhew.Star Wars: The Force Awakensserved as the newChewbacaactor’s feature film debut.
While we still don’t have any official plot details quite yet,Joonas Suotamojoins a cast that also includes Alden Ehrenreich asHan Solo,Woody Harrelsonas the title character’s mentor, Garris Shrike,Donald Gloveras Lando Calrissian, andEmilia ClarkeandPhoebe Waller-Bridgein unspecified roles.Phil LordandChristopher Millerare directingHan Solo: A Star Wars Storyfrom a script byLawrence KasdanandJon Kasdan, withKathleen Kennedyproducing alongsideAllison Shearmur. Take a look atJoonas Suotamo’s tweet where he introduces himself toStar Warsfans around the world.
