Chewbacca’s back! Actor Peter Mayhew to return for ‘Star Wars Episode VII’

Chewbacca -- everyone’s favourite smuggler, walking carpet, and sidekick extraordinaire from a galaxy far, far away -- is set to return in J.J. Abrams upcoming “Star Wars Episode VII.”

According to the Hollywood Reporter, 7’3” (2.21 m) actor Peter Mayhew will reprise the role of the iconic Wookiee in the Disney-produced “Star Wars” sequel due, out in late 2015. The 69-year-old actor played Han Solo's Wookiee pal Chewbacca in the original trilogy of "Star Wars" films and again in for 2005’s "Star Wars Episode III - Revenge of the Sith."

Mayhew’s involvement in “Episode VII” is very good news. The extremely tall actor has had health issues in recent years as a result of his height, being confined to a wheelchair for several years before undergoing a double knee replacement in 2013. His participation in the movie would apparently indicate that he is now in much better health.

While neither Disney nor Harrison Ford himself will confirm Han Solo's involvement in “Episode VII,” Chewie's presence almost certainly implies that the charming smuggler (and therefore actor Harrison Ford) will be connected to the proceedings somehow. In “Star Wars” fiction, Chewbacca owes a Wookiee life debt to Solo, making the two friends virtually inseparable.

But since “Episode VII” will reportedly be set 30 years after the events of “Return of the Jedi,” Chewbacca’s presence in the film is also indicates that J.J. Abrams and company likely aren’t sticking to established “Star Wars” canon. Why? In the official "Star Wars" canon, Chewie's been dead for years.

In R.A. Salvatore’s 1999 novel “Vector Prime” (part of officially recognized Expanded Universe continuity of books, games, comics, etc.), the iconic Wookiee character was actually killed off. That story, approved by “Star Wars” creator George Lucas, was set 25 years after the events of “A New Hope.” That means that, as many suspected he might, Abrams is throwing the previously established continuity out the window.

All the pieces are finally falling into place for “Star Wars Episode VII”. Mayhew is in, while his original trilogy co-stars Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford are likely not too far behind. Despite earlier reports of production kicking off in May, according to Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn much of the cast is already locked in and filming is already underway. If that’s indeed the case, then fans can expect Disney to officially announce its full galactic cast any day now.

"Star Wars Episode VII" is set for release on Dec. 18, 2015.