Star Wars Episode 7 Rumors: Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca to Appear in Episode VII?

From left, Harrison Ford who played Han Solo, Anthony Daniels who played the robot C3P0, Carrie Fisher who played the princess, and Peter Mayhew who played the Wookie, Chewbacca, are shown during a break from the filming of a television special presentation in Los Angeles, Ca., Oct. 5, 1978. (AP Photo)

The latest Star Wars Episode 7 cast rumor is that Peter Mayhew will reprise his role as Chewbacca in the upcoming installment in the Star Wars films.

There’s been lots of talk about whether Chewbacca will appear at all in the film, and, if he does, if Mayhew will continue being him.

The latest rumor stems from an announcement from Comicpalooza Con that Mayhew canceled his appearance at the event, which is set for May, “due to filming.”

People then connected the announcement with the news that Episode VII is going to start filming sometime in May. 

Peter Mayhew’s original ‘Chewbacca’ head from the film ‘Star Wars’ on display at Profiles In History in Calabasas, northwest of downtown Los Angeles, on July 19, 2012 in California. (AFP/Getty Images)

Mayhew himself has been--like everyone involved or reportedly involved in Episode VII--pretty mum about the whole deal, but he has expressed interest in the past in being in the film. 

Much of the doubt about Mayhew returning is from a double-knee replacement he underwent.

But the reported involvement of the original trio of stars Carrie Fischer (Princess Leia), Harrison Ford (Hans Solo), and Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) boosts the rumors about Mayhew’s involvement.

CP3-o is also supposed to be in Episode 7.

One of the only things known about the film is that it’s set to hit theaters in December 2015. 

Also, the events in Episode 7 are going to be set 30 years after the end of “Return of the Jedi.”