Former Penn State University basketball player Joonas Suotamo has some pretty big shoes to fill. But as he has already walked a Wookiee mile or two in them, the “Newbacca” is more than ready to play Chewbacca.
“I am profoundly grateful for this amazing opportunity to become a part of the Star Wars franchise that I have loved since my childhood,” Mr. Suotamo, 30, wrote in a social media post after it was announced Tuesday that he’s an official cast member of the yet-unnamed Han Solo prequel.
The 6-feet-10 native of Espoo, Finland, had been the stand-in for the original Chewbacca, British-born Peter Mayhew, 72.