- "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" features a new Chewbacca.
- Former Finnish basketball player and actor Joonas Suotamo took over the role for Peter Mayhew in the latest movie.
- The actor served as a body double for Mayhew in "The Force Awakens."
- He's a dapper looking man.
There's a new man bringing Chewbacca to life in "Star Wars: The Last Jedi."
Towering over the cast at six feet, 10 inches in the furry Wookiee costume is Joonas Suotamo. The 31-year-old actor and former Finnish basketball took over the role of the iconic Wookiee from veteran actor Peter Mayhew. Suotamo first stepped in as a body double for Mayhew, 73, in "The Force Awakens" when knee problems sidelined the seven-foot-two-inch actor from physical activity. Mayhew has now officially passed the torch.
The news was made official in February when Suotamo expressed his excitement in a Twitter post.
"I am profoundly grateful for this amazing opportunity to become a part of the 'Star Wars' franchise that I have loved since my childhood," the actor wrote. "I would like to thank my family, friends, basketball coaches and teammates, fellow cast and crew members, the staff at Lucasfilm and Disney, the great fans of this spectacular universe, and especially Peter Mayhew."
He continued: "Chewbacca is one of the most iconic characters in the history of film, and Peter's development and portrayal of this beloved Wookiee has spread so much joy across the globe. Peter's guidance and kindness have been invaluable gifts which warmed my spirit and prepared me for this journey. I aspire to make Peter proud and bring 'Star Wars' fans the Chewie they know and love."
The actor played basketball while attending Penn State from 2005 to 2008 and graduated with a film degree. He told Business Insider that because of his height, he didn't think about acting much.
"I loved doing theater in high school," he said in 2016. "But I just didn't believe my chances to get any acting part were possible because of my size, so I studied more behind the camera."
After moving back to Finland, he continued to play basketball and sold insurance while starting his own video-production company. His audition for the Chewbacca body double was all thanks to his basketball coach who heard that a seven-foot, blue-eyed actor was needed for a secret role.
When he landed the part, the actor said he re-watched the "Star Wars" movies and practiced moving like Mayhew.
"At basketball practice, I was the one who would always mimic the style of my teammates," he said. "So playing Chewbacca is something I've always prepared myself for, unknowingly."
Suotamo is reprising the role in "Solo: A Star Wars Story." The stand-alone spin-off film is set to hit theaters May 25, 2018.
Sign up here to get INSIDER's favorite stories straight to your inbox.
Join the conversation about this story »
NOW WATCH: The disturbing reason some people turn red when they drink alcohol