‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’: Meet the Finnish actor who shares the role of Chewbacca

PETER Mayhew has played Chewbacca in all the Star Wars movies so far, but he’s handing the role to a 209cm giant from Finland.

LOOKY looky, that’s one hot Wookiee!

Behind Chewbacca’s furry facade in Star Wars: The Last Jedi is a handsome Finnish actor named Joonas Suotamo.

The 31-year-old shares the role of Chewie in the latest Star Wars movie with Peter Mayhew, 73, who has played the character in five previous films.

But Suotamo will inherit the role officially in Solo: A Star Wars Story due out next year.

The two men who play Chewbacca: Joonas Suotamo and Peter Mayhew.

The 209cm tall actor got a start in Star Wars thanks to his former job as a professional basketballer.

“The Basketball Association of Finland called me because they had been approached by casting from London,” Suotamo told People magazine.

“They were prepping to do the film, and they were finding it hard to find this seven-footer with blue eyes. So they called every Scandinavian basketball association.

Joonas Suotamo is Chewbacca in Star Wars: The Last Jedi

“Because I’d played in the youth national teams in my younger days, they were able to point me out to these people. I went to London for an audition, and that’s where it all started.”

Suotamo was first seen in costume in Star Wars: The Force Awakens but his movie career got off to a bumpy start when he passed out during his initial scene.

“You have to stay still for so long and if you forget to inhale deeply when they [put on the chest piece], you’re left with this little too few inches to breathe,” he told People.

“It was really intense.

“I heard also Darth Vader, Dave Prowse, fainted when he was done, so I don’t have to feel too bad.”

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is in cinemas now.

Joonas Suotamo is engaged and expecting his first child early next year.

Originally published as ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’: Meet the Finnish actor who shares the role of Chewbacca