Joonas Suotamo is honoured by Peter Mayhew’s influence.
Suotamo took over the role of Chewbacca from Mayhew in the latest “Star Wars” films, and at the “Star Wars” Celebration in Chicago just a few weeks ago, the young actor praised his mentor.
Mayhew passed away earlier this week. He was 74.
“I’ll never forget meeting him, and how he wished me good luck on this life-long journey that this is,” Suotamo told Entertainment Weekly of Mayhew. “I’m very excited to continue his legacy.”
After hearing the news of his death, the 32-year-old Finnish actor posted a tribute to the late actor:
Suotamo wasn’t the only one with heartfelt messages for Mayhew, Harrison Ford and George Lucas released statements but on Friday Warwick Davis, who played Ewok Wicket W. Warrick opposite Peter’s Chewbacca, sent out a tribute to his friend.
RELATED: Mark Hamill Apologizes Over ‘Star Wars’ Tweet That Made Fans Angry
“I first met Peter when I was 11 and I was enthralled by Chewbacca. But I soon learned that Chewbacca was Peter,” he told Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford on Friday’s “This Morning”. “He had a big heart and lovely humour, and he brought that through the yak hair that made Chewbacca’s costume.”
Suotamo has played the loveable Wookie in “Solo: A Star Wars Story”, “The Last Jedi”, “The Force Awakens” and the upcoming “The Rise Of Skywalker”.
“The Rise Of Skywalker” hits big screens Dec. 20.
