Chewbacca

The Wookiee co-pilot and loyal friend of the smuggler Han Solo, first seen in the 1977 film.

Chewbacca, nicknamed "Chewie," is a fictional Wookiee character from the Star Wars franchise, standing 7.5 feet (2.3 m) tall with a hairy exterior and high intelligence. Originating from Kashyyyk, he typically wears only a bandolier and tool pouch while wielding a traditional bowcaster. First appearing in the original 1977 film and its 1976 novelization as Han Solo's loyal friend and co-pilot of the Millennium Falcon, he speaks Shyriiwook. Following Mayhew's 2017 retirement, Suotamo took over for The Last Jedi, The Rise of Skywalker, and Solo: A Star Wars Story.

Quick Facts

Series: Star Wars
First: Star Wars: From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker (1976)
Creator: George Lucas
Occupation: Co-pilot and first mate on; Millennium Falcon
Nickname: Chewie
Species: Wookiee
Gender: Male
Affiliation: Rebel Alliance; Resistance

Lore & Background

Chewbacca was inspired by George Lucas's Alaskan Malamute, Indiana, who served as his "co-pilot" in a car. The name derives from the Russian word "sobaka," meaning dog. Ralph McQuarrie's concept art drew inspiration from John Schoenherr's 1975 illustrations for Analog magazine. His voice was created by sound designer Ben Burtt using recordings of four bears, a badger, a lion, a seal, and a walrus. Peter Mayhew modeled his performance on animals observed in public zoos. In the original trilogy, costumes used yak hair, rabbit hair, and mohair; for The Force Awakens, suits utilized yak hair, Lycra, and a small amount of mohair. While the French version renamed him "Chiktaba" (nickname "Chico") and Italian versions use "Ciubecca" (nickname "Ciube"), his core identity remains rooted in his bond with Han Solo and his service as a co-pilot who has fought from Kashyyyk to Endor.

Reader's Guide

Chewbacca serves as the Millennium Falcon's co-pilot, mechanic, and warrior. His role spans from the Clone Wars on Kashyyyk—where he fought alongside Tarfful against Separatists and helped Yoda escape—to the sequel trilogy where he sets off explosives to destroy Starkiller Base. In Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018), Joonas Suotamo portrays Chewbacca meeting Han in a pit on Mimban; after Han proves he speaks Shyriiwook, they bond and escape Imperials together. On Kessel, he frees enslaved Wookiees and demonstrates his piloting skills during the Kessel Run. In The Rise of Skywalker (2019), he is mistakenly believed dead when Rey destroys a transport with Force lightning, only to be rescued later. He receives a medal from Maz Kanata near the film's end.