Let’s add some Star Wars magic to Hump Day with a quick round-up of wonderful untitled Han Solo movie news.
Firstly, Chewbacca: it was recently announced that Peter Mayhew won’t be reprising his 40-year role of everyone’s favourite Wookiee in the film, but Disney and Lucasfilm have found him a suitable replacement.
Finnish basketball player and actor Joonas Suotamo will be donning the wearable hairball instead. Don’t worry if you don’t know much about him. Right now, you just need to know that he’s extremely excited, as demonstrated by this lovely celebratory thank you tweet.
I’m ecstatic. It’s official. And here is my statement to this terrific piece of news https://t.co/a1DPsNDb2Ppic.twitter.com/r4EUZ2r17V
— Joonas Suotamo (@JoonasSuotamo) February 21, 2017
In the adorable tweet, Suotamo says:
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 especially Peter 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 my 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…
*Wookiee fist bump*
The cockles of our hearts have rarely been warmer. If it feels like Suotamo is basically Chewie already, that’s partly because he’s sort of played him before. Due to health problems, Mayhew wasn’t able to film all of Chewie’s scenes for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. In those instances, Suotamo stepped in to help out. Just two inches shorter than Mayhew at 6ft 11in, Suotamo blends in perfectly.
Speaking to Business Insider in January 2016, Suotamo said that he’ll never reveal which scenes featured him and which featured Mayhew.
Here’s a picture of Joonas Suotamo and Peter Mayhew on The Force Awakens‘ set, just because:
Secondly (listed second as we’re sure you all saw it as soon as it hit the Internet yesterday), THIS PICTURE:
There’s nothing about the first Han Solo movie cast photo that we don’t love. Look at Alden Ehrenreich’s smirk! Donald Glover’s “I don’t give a shit” Lando eyebrow raise! Fleabag‘s Pheobe Waller-Bridge sneaking in at the back! Everything is perfect.
Directors Chris Miller and Phil Lord said: “Watching such inspired people from all over the world, with such unique voices, come together for the sole purpose of making art, is nothing short of miraculous. We can’t think of anything funny to say, because we just feel really moved, and really lucky.”
The untitled Han Solo movie will be in cinemas on 25 May 2018. Get all the latest sci-fi news with every issue of SciFiNow.
