Tuesday, April 5, 2016

THE PUSILLANIMOUS WOOKIEE

When filming Return of the Jedi in the redwood forests of northern California, Peter Mayhew was  not allowed to walk around alone in costume and was accompanied by crew members in brightly colored vests. Star Wars nerds will recall that Mayhew was  7'3" (221 cm) tall actor who portrayed Chewbacca, the Wookiee. Mayhew's associates were concerned that a hunter might confuse the Wookiee for Bigfoot (or perhaps a bear) and shoot him (notwithstanding the fact that as far as I know, there is no open season on Bigfoot in California, and most bears do not wear bandoliers).

Actor David Prowse was originally slated to play Chewbacca, but he was switched over to portray Darth Vader. Mayhew was a hospital orderly at the time he was called to take over the part and was told that all he had to do was "stand up."

For more information on the Wookiee-Bigfoot controversy, please click here.

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