Chewbacca

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Chewbacca

File:Chewbacca ANH.jpg
Chewbacca aboard the Millennium Falcon.
Portrayed by	Peter Mayhew (Original & Sequel Trilogies) Joonas Suotamo (Sequel Trilogy & Solo)
First appearance	Star Wars: A New Hope
Last appearance	Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Affiliation	Rebel Alliance, Smuggler
Signature Artifacts	Chewbacca's Bowcaster, Chewbacca's Bandolier, Dejarik Holochess Set, Dismantled C-3PO
External Links
Wikipedia	Link
IMDb	Link

Chewbacca, known affectionately to his friends as Chewie, is a Wookiee warrior, smuggler, and co-pilot of the Millennium Falcon alongside his lifelong friend, Han Solo. His unwavering loyalty, immense strength, and surprising technical skill make him an indispensable member of the Rebel Alliance.

Character Overview

Hailing from the forest planet of Kashyyyk, Chewbacca is a towering Wookiee bound by a life debt to Han Solo after Han, then an Imperial officer, refused an order to kill him. As Han's first mate and conscience, Chewie provides both muscle and mechanical expertise. Though he speaks only in Shyriiwook, a language of growls and roars, his expressions and actions convey deep emotion and intelligence.

Film & Television Appearances

Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005)

Chewbacca makes a brief appearance during the Battle of Kashyyyk, fighting alongside the Wookiees and Jedi Master Yoda against the Separatist droid army. He helps Yoda escape the planet after the execution of Order 66.

Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)

This film details Chewbacca's first meeting with Han Solo. Initially imprisoned by the Empire and used as a "beast," Chewie is freed by Han, and the two form an immediate bond, escaping together. Their partnership is solidified as they join a smuggling crew and ultimately win the Millennium Falcon.

Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)

As co-pilot of the Millennium Falcon, Chewbacca helps transport Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi. He famously plays a game of Dejarik (holochess) against R2-D2 and later poses as a prisoner in a successful ploy to rescue Princess Leia from the Death Star.

The Star Wars Holiday Special (1978)

Chewbacca is the central character of this television special, which focuses on his and Han's attempt to travel to Kashyyyk to celebrate Life Day with his family: his wife Malla, his son Lumpy, and his father Itchy. The special explores Wookiee culture and home life in great detail.

The Muppet Show (1980)

Appearing alongside Luke Skywalker and the droids, Chewbacca is initially captured by the show's Muppet villains. After being rescued, he participates in the show's final musical number, "You've Got a Friend," much to the confusion of the other performers.

Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Chewbacca's role as a mechanic is highlighted as he frantically tries to repair the Falcon's malfunctioning hyperdrive. His anguish and protective rage are on full display when Han Solo is frozen in carbonite on Cloud City. He manages to save the partially disassembled C-3PO from being melted down as scrap.

Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)

Chewbacca plays a key role in the rescue of Han Solo from Jabba's Palace. On the forest moon of Endor, his attempt to snag a hanging piece of meat springs a trap that leads to the group's capture by Ewoks. Later, he and two Ewoks hijack an AT-ST walker, helping to turn the tide of the ground battle.

Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015)

Following the loss of Ben Solo to the dark side, Chewbacca has returned to smuggling with Han. After reclaiming the Falcon, he is injured in a firefight. His grief is palpable after Han's death, and he unleashes his fury on the surrounding stormtroopers before helping Rey and Finn escape Starkiller Base.

Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019)

Chewbacca continues to serve the Resistance as a veteran pilot and warrior. He is briefly captured by the First Order, and his apparent death is a source of immense guilt for Rey. After being rescued, he receives the Medal of Yavin that he was famously denied in A New Hope, a poignant moment that corrects a long-standing fan grievance.

Signature Artifacts

Chewbacca's Bowcaster

• Description: A traditional Wookiee weapon, also known as a laser crossbow. It fires a powerful, explosive green energy quarrel. The prop was built on the frame of a real-world crossbow, with additional sci-fi elements added.
• Relevance to Character: The bowcaster is a symbol of Chewbacca's Wookiee heritage and his status as a fierce warrior. Unlike a standard blaster, it requires immense strength to use, immediately establishing Chewie's physical power. It is both a traditional and technologically advanced weapon, mirroring the Wookiee species itself.
• Relevance to Plot: The bowcaster is Chewie's primary weapon throughout the saga. Its distinctive firing sound and powerful impact make it a memorable part of any action sequence he is in. In The Force Awakens, Han Solo uses the weapon, and its powerful kick sends him flying, humorously reinforcing the strength required to wield it.

Chewbacca's Bandolier

• Description: A leather bandolier worn diagonally across Chewbacca's chest. It holds a series of large, silver metallic ammunition or power cells for his bowcaster.
• Relevance to Character: The bandolier is the single piece of "clothing" that defines Chewbacca's look. It breaks up his silhouette and signifies that he is not just a wild beast, but a sentient, tool-using warrior. It gives him a look of readiness and practicality.
• Relevance to Plot: While primarily a costume piece, the bandolier serves a key function in The Empire Strikes Back when Chewbacca uses it as a makeshift bag to carry the dismantled parts of C-3PO, showcasing his resourcefulness.

Dejarik Holochess Set

• Description: A holographic game table built into the lounge of the Millennium Falcon. The game pieces are monstrous-looking creatures animated via stop-motion by Phil Tippett and Jon Berg.
• Relevance to Character: The Dejarik scene establishes key aspects of Chewbacca's personality beyond being just "muscle." It shows he has hobbies, intelligence for strategy games, and a famously short temper, leading to Han's advice to "let the Wookiee win."
• Relevance to Plot: The game serves as a moment of character-building and world-building, showing what the crew does during downtime. It also provides a memorable introduction to the concept of holograms being interactive and solid within the Star Wars universe.

Dismantled C-3PO

• Description: A cargo net filled with the various pieces of C-3PO after he was blasted apart by an Imperial Stormtrooper on Cloud City. The prop consisted of a lightweight casting of C-3PO's parts that Peter Mayhew could carry on his back.
• Relevance to Character: Carrying the dismantled droid highlights Chewbacca's loyalty and sense of responsibility. Despite his frequent annoyance with the protocol droid, he goes to great lengths to save him and painstakingly tries to put him back together, showing his compassionate nature.
• Relevance to Plot: This artifact provides both comic relief (as C-3PO complains from the bag) and a plot device. C-3PO, being partially reassembled, is able to witness key events and warn the heroes of the trap on Cloud City, directly influencing their escape attempt.

Behind the Scenes

The 7'3" actor Peter Mayhew was cast as Chewbacca after George Lucas, who originally considered a 6'6" actor, saw Mayhew stand up and was immediately impressed by his height. The costume, created by Stuart Freeborn's team, was woven from yak hair and mohair. Mayhew studied the movements of bears, monkeys, and gorillas at the zoo to develop Chewbacca's unique gait and mannerisms.

Trivia

• Chewbacca's voice was created by sound designer Ben Burtt by mixing recordings of bears, walruses, lions, and badgers.
• In early concept art by Ralph McQuarrie, Chewbacca looked much more like a giant, gray lemur with large, yellow eyes.

See Also

• Star Wars: A New Hope
• Han Solo
• Peter Mayhew