Chewbacca and Boba Fett vacation in Exmouth

Holidaymakers were greeted by surprise visitors from a galaxy far, far away... when Chewbacca, best friend of Han Solo and co-pilot of the Millennium Falcon, and bounty hunter Boba Fett appeared on Exmouth seafront (photo: Peter Hopkins) this week.

The odd couple have emerged from lockdown and seemingly become friends despite the notorious bounty hunter capturing Han Solo in The Empire Strikes Back and taking him, frozen in carbonite, to the vile gangster Jabba the Hutt.

Boba Fett (Jonathon Curtis-Kroeger) and Chewbacca (David Wellbeloved) appeared on BBC Spotlight and were interviewed by Devon Live. The screen-accurate cosplaying Star Wars fans are members of Southern Troopers who fundraise for various charities including Children's Hospice South West - I recently donated rare Doctor Who memorabilia, raising hundreds of pounds for the charity.

So, if you're by the Jurassic Coast don't be surprised if you bump into Boba Fett and Chewbacca this summer. Socially distanced and wearing a mask (exceptions apply). You wouldn't want to end up frozen in carbonite whilst eating an ice cream...

Harrison Ford remembers his friend Peter Mayhew

Harrison Ford recently appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and discussed the 35th anniversary of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Mark Hamill's impression of him on the set of Star Wars and, most poignantly, the passing of his friend Peter Mayhew.

Ford and Mayhew played best friends and Millennium Falcon co-pilots, Han Solo and Chewbacca, in the original Star Wars trilogy and The Force Awakens.

Peter Mayhew, Star Wars' Chewbacca, dies aged 74

Awoke to the terribly sad news that Peter Mayhew has passed away aged 74.

Mayhew played the mighty Chewbacca, Millennium Falcon co-pilot and best friend of Han Solo (Harrison Ford), in the original Star Wars trilogy and became a beloved fan-favourite to generations of fans (myself included).

"He put his heart and soul into the role of Chewbacca and it showed in every frame," his family said.

Together, Ford and Mayhew co-piloted the Millennium Falcon and took on the Empire in some of the franchise's most memorable scenes. "We were partners in film and friends in life for over 30 years and I loved him," said Ford.

"He invested his soul in the character and brought great pleasure to the Star Wars audience."

Mark Hamill, who plays Luke Skywalker, said: "What was so remarkable about him was his spirit and his kindness and his gentleness was so close to what a Wookiee is.

"He just radiated happiness and warmth. He was always up for a laugh and we just hit it off immediately and stayed friends for over 40 years."

I'll always cherish the bittersweet childhood memory of discovering, on Christmas morning, that my grandparents' dog, Smurf, had chewed up action figure Chewie!

May the Force be with you, sir! Always. RIP.

What are your favourite memories of Chewbacca? Let me know in the comments below.

The official synopsis for Solo: A Star Wars Story

Whilst Star Wars fans (myself included) anxiously await a trailer. Lucasfilm has published an official synopsis for Solo: A Star Wars Story.

"Board the Millennium Falcon and journey to a galaxy far, far away in Solo: A Star Wars Story, an all-new adventure with the most beloved scoundrel in the galaxy. Through a series of daring escapades deep within a dark and dangerous criminal underworld, Han Solo meets his mighty future copilot Chewbacca and encounters the notorious gambler Lando Calrissian, in a journey that will set the course of one of the Star Wars saga’s most unlikely heroes."

Finally, fans will see how Han and Chewie first met. This isn't the first time the story has been told, it appeared in Dark Horse Comics' Star Wars: Chewbacca miniseries in 2000, but this is official canon. I recall excited discussions with college friends postulating how Han was an imperial officer in the Empire and saving Chewie changed his life forever. Imagine if there's a cameo from Darth Vader?

Solo: A Star Wars Story, directed by Ron Howard, is in cinemas 25th May.

The Empire looms large in Han Solo Star Wars spin-off

Director Ron Howard teased a photo from his upcoming Han Solo Star Wars spin-off, alluding to the Empire's Death Star or Star Destroyer interior, on Twitter.

Han Solo (Alden Ehrenreich) didn't see the Death Star until A New Hope. So, unless his memory was erased, it's unlikely the infamous battle station will appear again soon on the big screen. However, it's worth noting the standalone spin-offs are set before A New Hope and act as Disney's prequels to the original trilogy.

There's a danger of repetition, something the Star Wars saga is known for, what with Rogue One centered around stealing the Death Star plans. But, the Death Star is familiar to filmgoers, so who knows. That said, I'm all for Solo breaking into a detention block and setting an imprisoned Chewbacca free before escaping in the Millennium Falcon with TIE Fighters in hot pursuit.

So, what do you think? Will Han Solo (Alden Ehrenreich), Lando Calrissian (Donald Glover) and Chewbacca be aboard the Death Star or not? Let me know in the comments below.

The untitled Han Solo spin-off is scheduled for release 25th May, 2018.

Han Solo Star Wars spin-off blasts into hyperspace

The next Star Wars spin-off movie has begun filming in London. And the cast and crew boarded the Millennium Falcon for a first look.

The on-set photo confirms the casting of Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag). She joins Alden Ehrenreich as Han Solo, Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian and Thandie Newton.

“Watching such inspired people from all over the world, with such unique voices, come together for the sole purpose of making art, is nothing short of miraculous,” Lord and Miller said. “We can’t think of anything funny to say, because we just feel really moved, and really lucky.”

The untitled Han Solo movie is scheduled for release 25th May 2018. This contradicts an earlier report suggesting Disney will continue to release Star Wars movies during the holiday season.

The Force Awakens soars with Star Wars magic of old

This is the Star Wars movie fans are looking for. Over the summer Jurassic World took an ageing franchise and reinvigorated it into box office gold. Now, the granddaddy of them all enjoys a yuletide homecoming without equal following a ten year absence.

Time enough for the prequels to fade, a change of ownership and fans to focus on events following Return of the Jedi over thirty years ago. Marvel Comics couldn't satiate my yearning to see beloved heroes in new adventures on the big screen. What happened to Luke Skywalker and friends after the defeat of Darth Vader and his Emperor?



Director JJ Abrams had already captured the magic of Steven Spielberg in Super 8 and now George Lucas' saga sees him graduate into the top flight of Hollywood directors.

Fresh from rebooting Star Trek. Abrams' supernatural grasp of the mythology of the original trilogy delivers spectacularly in a superlative sequel brushing shoulders with The Empire Strikes Back during its bleakest moments and equalling A New Hope.

In Abrams' galactic odyssey we witness Kylo Ren's (Adam Driver) rage surpassing sulky Anakin Skywalker in the prequel trilogy and Rey's (Daisy Ridley) reluctance to fathom her mysterious past as she befriends Finn (John Boyega), a disenfranchised First Order Stormtrooper, and leaves behind life as a scavenger on the desert planet of Jakku after rescuing BB-8. The spherical droid newcomer is truly a marvel to behold and takes its rightful place alongside R2-D2 and C-3PO.



Amidst the Arthurian storytelling and beguiling vistas shot on Kodak film, John Williams' sweeping soundtrack for The Force Awakens is triumphant. More than once it prompted bittersweet feelings of nostalgia at seeing Star Wars for the first time with my late mother. A transcendental experience in the wake of childhood trauma in 1977.



Star Wars hadn't opened in the UK when I was admitted into children's hospital following a serious head injury. But, I remember the American neurosurgeon - who saved my life alongside a talented team - saying I had to promise him I'd see Star Wars and gave me a poster of R2-D2 and C-3PO as a parting gift! The promise was kept.

What of Luke Skywalker's fate? That's for fans to discover for themselves. The old and new cast shine with charisma and Daisy Ridley, beautiful and effervescent, carries the movie with an aplomb belying her freshman acting career. The sight of a squadron of X-Wings was met with whoops and cries of delight.



I laughed, cheered and cried watching my most cherished film franchise soar once more. The emotional stakes are raised in a galaxy far, far away...

Thank you for an incredible Christmas gift, JJ!

Hot Toys' Han Solo and Chewbacca action figures

Hot Toys, acclaimed for its detailed sixth scale collectible action figures including Batman, Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Avengers, and more, kicks off its new Star Wars collection with Han Solo and co-pilot Chewbacca from Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope.

The movie-accurate Han Solo collectible figure is specially crafted based on the image of Harrison Ford as Han Solo in the film and features a newly developed body, highly detailed costume, weapons, accessories, and a specially designed figure stand. The movie-accurate Chewbacca collectible figure is specially crafted based on the image of Chewbacca in the film and features a newly developed body, brown fabric hair throughout the whole body that captures Chewbacca’s unique appearance, highly detailed bowcaster and accessory, and a specially designed figure stand.

This collectible figure set will include an additional Stormtrooper belt and blaster rifle for Han Solo and an additional heavy blaster for Chewbacca.

Star Wars fans shouldn't pass up the opportunity to add this beloved duo to your collection! You can pre-order (affiliate link) today.

Have Hot Toys captured a good likeness of Han Solo and Chewbacca? Let me know in the comments below.

Sesame Street's Star Wars parody stars Chewie cookie!

Sesame Street and The Muppets occupy a poignant place in my formative years! So, I couldn't pass up seeing some of my most beloved childhood heroes in a galaxy, a milky way galaxy far, far away...



Star S'Mores is a peach of a parody and follows unlikely heroes as Cookie Monster tries to learn self-control and rescue the Princess from the evil Empire.

Hearing Frank Oz's Groda, a mashup of Gonzo and Yoda, is a highlight. What fun!

Use the Four.

Peter Mayhew returns as Chewbacca in Star Wars

The Hollywood Reporter has exclusively revealed Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) will be joining R2-D2 in Episode VII!

Rumours suggest the new Star Wars movie has already begun shooting. However, no further cast announcements have been made.

Perhaps JJ Abrams is going to wait until May the Fourth to confirm the rest of the returning cast members from the original trilogy?

Cello Wars

Cello Wars is one of the most creative Star Wars parodies I've ever seen!

Star Wars meets The Muppets

Disney is no stranger to crossovers and has released Star Wars characters, based on original IP, before. However, this is genius.

When these fully poseable action figures are launched at Disney Parks, this Fall, expect to see them packaged two to a case. There'll be Kermit the Frog as Luke Skywalker with Miss Piggy as Princess Leia, Link Hogthrob as Han Solo and his buddy Fozzy as Chewbacca, Beaker as C3-PO and Dr. Bunsen Honeydew as R2-D2, and Sam Eagle as Obi-Wan Kenobi with Gonzo as Darth Vader with an accessory Camilla as a Stormtrooper.

If the Star Wars The Muppets line continues, what figures would you like to see sold at Disney Parks? How about Dr Teeth as Boba Fett...

Star Wars: The Solo Adventures

The Solo Adventures 2D from Daniel L Smith on Vimeo.

Winner of 'Best Animation' from the Star Wars Fan Film Movie Challenge.

I'd rather watch this than official prequel canon such as The Clone Wars. Just saying.

Hat tip @Foomandoonian.

Han & Chewie Combined!

This post was originally published on my new blog. However, this Star Wars item was just too awesome to pass up a reprint here!

Initial reaction to the first wave of Hasbro's Star Wars Transformers line was one of unfettered excitement, followed by disappointment and, finally, disillusionment! Rebellious reactions should be crushed by the arrival of Han Solo and Chewbacca combiners complete with electronic lights and sounds!

Signature window-box design.


Combined!


Heroic Han.


Cool Chewie.


If this isn't a very, very cool collectible then I don't know what is! Hasbro why didn't you employ me?