UPDATE 7/4 - The Hollywood Reporter is claiming their sources confirm that Peter Mayhew definitely will be back as Chewbacca in Star Wars Episode VII. But we knew that already, right?
Original post from Feb 28th follows:
Just last year Peter Mayhew underwent double knee replacement surgery, since then he has been working his butt off to get back in shape and walk again unaided. If you'd asked me three months ago if he would be reprising the role of Chewbacca in Star Wars Episode VII, I would have said it was highly unlikely. He'd released several pictures of his therapy and it looked like he had a long way to go. However today there's been a strong indication that he might just be inside that Wookiee costume after all.
Peter Mayhew, who now lives in Texas, was due to appear at the Houston Comicpalooza on May 24th. Unfortunately, for those fans who had hoped to meet him, Mayhew has been forced to pull out of the event. The reason given was tweeted today by the organisers...
We regret to announce that Peter Mayhew is canceling his appearance at Comicpalooza this year due to filming.
— Comicpalooza Con (@Comicpalooza) March 28, 2014
Due to filming eh?
What movie do we know that starts filming in May this year?
Hmmm?
Hmmmmm?
We've had all the talk of the 'big 3' names returning to the franchise, but I've always hoped original cast members like Mayhew, Anthony Daniels and Kenny Baker would be featured in the new movie. Obviously this is not an official confirmation of Mayhew's involvement in Episode VII, but it seems way too coincidental to me for it not to be.
