UPDATE! New Star Wars Casting Call for a 7.2 ft Male.
A UK acting agencies that specialise in actors with extraordinary physiques, received a new and very interesting Star Wars casting call…
Here’s what it says:
Tall Man (Male, 21 – 60) Male, 7 ft to 7.3 ft tall with a slim/thin build and upright posture. Not too worked out or too ‘thick set’ especially in the shoulders. Broad facial features would be a bonus.
This definitely sounds like they are looking for a new Chewbacca. Remember that Peter Mayhew who played Chewie in the Original Trilogy and Episode 3 is exactly 7.2 ft and fits the description perfectly.
Now the question is – is this a casting call for the real Chewbacca or for another Wookie character?
Recently Peter Mayhew had a double knee replacement surgery and is trying really hard to be back on his feet and be available for Episode 7. Will there be enough time for his recovery? I hope yes.
Also we have to keep in mind that this casting call might not be for Episode 7 but for the first spin-off movie which is expected to hit the theaters in 2016. And many people suggested that the first one will be about Han Solo. And who is Han Solo without Chewie.
UPDATE!
Now Peter Mayhew himself made a brief comment on this:
I intend to pursue the role of Chewbacca for Episode VII.
Go for it Chewie, we know you can do it. 🙂
Founder of SWNN, MNN and The Cantina forums.
Born on April 24, 1980.
Maybe they are just looking for a stunt Chewbacca to double for Peter Mayhew for the more physical stuff. They could still use Peter for close ups etc.
It’s just not right if Peter Mayhew is not part of Episode 7.
that would be a good solution, with someone else doing the physical stuff & then have Peter Mayhew for closeups, because he has very special eyes & special BLUE coloured eyes, so you cant really have closeups on a double with brown or green eyes or a double wearing blue contacts, that could work when not filming closeups, but it would not work with closeups….
Also it would be cool to see another wookie, perhaps an ALBINO or “winterfur” wookie? 😀 or black fur…
I would be so disappointed if Peter wasn’t behind the Chewie mask. I know he would be too. George has always praised Peter Mayhew saying he IS chewbacca, so hopefully he has an input into this.
Could be a stunt double as one of you suggested or maybe there are a few other wookies characters in the ST besides Chewie.
I want new Wookie character! I love Chewbacca so much . Great story thanks Viral.
I’d only be hurt for Peter’s sake. Otherwise I can understand the need for perhaps a younger person.
Could be for a new Wookie caracter… or even other species .. even if that’s the same height… curious for what or who it is…
I just hope Chewbacca finally gets his medal in the end.
Will Chewbacca’s wife and son (as seen in Star Wars Holiday Special) be included in the new trilogy too?
That would be a real hoot, lol.
Chewbacca’s son would be 7.2 ft, same as his pop.
Original Chewbacca actor plans comeback for Star Wars Episode VII
http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/sep/26/peter-mayhew-chewbacca-star-wars-episode-vii
Star Wars fan Jonny Mathers in bid to become Chewbacca
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-24316143