It’s Dangerous to go Solo: Homage to Peter Mayhew
Writing a blog about Peter Mayhew on the anniversary of his passing gives me an opportunity to pay tribute to one of my favorite characters in the SWU. I wanted to explore his journey from portraying Chewbacca to his impact on fans, including behind-the-scenes anecdotes.
Peter Mayhew will forever remembered for his iconic portrayal of Chewbacca in the Star Wars saga. Born in 1944 in England, he initially worked as a hospital orderly before finding fame in Hollywood. Standing at 7 feet 3 inches tall, Mayhew was diagnosed with gigantism, a condition that causes excessive growth, aged eight. He started his working life in engineering but he felt “more fulfilled” working as an orderly at King’s College Hospital in South London.
It was by pure chance that he was spotted for his film career when a local reporter published a photograph of him. It was seen by the producers of Ray Harryhausen’s action fantasy Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger.
Finding The Humanity of Chewie
He had exactly what Star Wars creator George Lucas needed when he was casting Chewbacca - height. Lucas had initially asked Dave Prowse, but he bagged Darth Vader instead.
Mayhew was perfect for the role of Chewie, the loveable, even cuddly sidekick to Harrison Ford's intergalactic smuggler Han Solo. Once he was cast, Mayhew set about researching his character by studying bears, monkeys and gorillas in his local zoo — preparing to bring his character to life once he was encased in the yak hair costume. In a 2015 interview with Rolling Stone, the actor summed up Chewbacca’s role by saying: “My character is a teddy bear, basically.
With his towering stature and expressive eyes, Mayhew brought the beloved Wookiee to life and somehow gave him a strong sense of humanity. His dedication to the role for almost 40 years extended beyond the screen, as he became deeply involved in the Star Wars community, attending countless conventions and charity events to connect with fans worldwide.
Brothers In Arms
Mayhew’s close collaboration with Harrison Ford, who played Han Solo, helped establish the iconic dynamic between Chewbacca and Han, contributing to the chemistry that made their friendship so memorable on screen.
Beyond his on-screen performance, Mayhew contributed to the development of Chewbacca’s character. He worked closely with the costume and prop departments to refine Chewbacca’s appearance and mannerisms, ensuring consistency throughout the films. The Chewbacca costume was extremely cumbersome and uncomfortable to wear, but Mayhew endured the discomfort to bring the character to life. The costume consisted of yak hair and mohair attached to a knitted wool suit, which often caused Mayhew to overheat during filming.
Mayhew didn’t rely on any scripted lines but instead communicated through growls, roars, and grunts, which became an integral part of Chewbacca’s charm.
Overall, Mayhew was held in high regard by his fellow actors for his professionalism, dedication, and the indelible mark he left on the Star Wars franchise through his portrayal of Chewbacca.
Harrison Ford: “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 Chewbacca,” the Hans Solo actor said.
Mark Hamill: ‘‘Peter thoughtfully translated all his lines into English for the benefit of those of us who didn’t speak Wookinese. One of the kindest fellows it was ever my pleasure to know,’’ the Luke Skywalker actor said.
George Lucas: “Peter was a wonderful man,” Lucas said in a statement. “He was the closest any human being could be to a Wookiee: big heart, gentle nature — and I learned to always let him win.’’
So What Happened Next?
Following Peter Mayhew’s passing in 2019, actor Joonas Suotamo took over the role of Chewbacca in the Star Wars sequel trilogy. Suotamo, a Finnish actor and former basketball player, had served as Mayhew’s double for certain scenes in previous films due to his similar height and physicality. Suotamo continued to honor Mayhew’s legacy by bringing Chewbacca to life in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” and “Solo: A Star Wars Story.’’
Suotamo described Mayhew as ‘an absolutely one-of-kind gentleman and a legend of unrivaled class’. He recalls how Mayhew gave him a ‘warm welcome’ on The Force Awakens, where Suotamo was Mayhew’s double for the role, and how Mayhew guided him in the ways of the Wookie on the set of the film. Suotamo asserted that Mayhew’s tutelage was invaluable, and it helped make the ‘daunting task’ of taking over the role of Chewbacca a much easier one.
So the BIG NEWS is that Joonas Suotamo has the opportunity to now build his own legacy by playing Wookiee Jedi Kelnacca in the upcoming Disney+ series, The Acolyte. https://www.empireonline.com/tv/news/the-acolyte-wookiee-jedi-kelnacca-star-wars-dream-come-true-exclusive/
Epitaph
Chewie, is many things — a loyal friend, a stellar co-pilot, a great shot, and a guilty devourer of Porgs, among others. Mayhew’s legacy continues to inspire generations of Star Wars enthusiasts, showcasing the enduring impact of his portrayal of Chewbacca and he’ll be forever remembered through the work of his foundation https://www.mayhewfoundation.org/.
