Peter Mayhew to Reprise His Role as Chewbacca

Courtesy THR

It's been in the news quite a bit that production has already begun on "Star Wars: Episode VII" despite the reports that it wasn't supposed to begin until May, and casting news has been hard to come by. One bit of great news is that we're getting our original Chewy back. A source has confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that 69-year-old Peter Mayhew will be returning to play one of the most iconic characters from the franchise.

A current staple on the con scene, Mayhew's portrayal of the Wookiee represents a lot of what we awesome nerds hold dear from our childhoods...a big, furry lovable sidekick on whom you can rely. Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher also are said to be returning for their roles but there is no definite confirmation. We reported back in February that Adam Driver was being cast to play an unknown villain and we're sure that more casting news will trickle in slowly but surely.

We'll keep you posted on any new developments. "Star Wars: Episode VII" is scheduled to hit theaters Dec. 18, 2015.

-Larissa Mrykalo