There aren't many things that instill fear in fans as much as the word "re-shoot". However, with the untimely passing of General Leia Organa actor Carrie Fisher, the cast and crew had to scramble to create new footage that will ultimately alter the original narrative that was planned out, with Leia reportedly having a significant role. Because of this, it looks like one Star Wars actor will have to cancel an upcoming Convention appearance (or two). A recent report about Chewbacca actor Joonas Suotamo states that he has cancelled a convention appearance due to having a larger role in the upcoming Star Wars: Episode IX than anticipated. This news comes with a bit of excitement, however, as it could mean we get to spend more time with our favorite Wookiee, as he was largely absent from a lot of The Last Jedi.
The report comes from the ever-reliable guys at StarWarsNewsNet, claiming that the reason for the Suotamo's return to the set of Episode IX is the result of script re-writes. The biggest pieces of evidence regarding the actor's cancellation ties into the film's shooting schedule and (as previously announced) Billy Dee Williams' involvement in the film. Suotamo was slated to appear at Rose City Comic Con in a few weeks, which was announced back in June. On August 1st, shooting for Episode IX began, confirming that Williams would be in the sequel. If Suotamo knew that he would be shooting Episode IX in September, he likely never would have agreed to attend the convention in the first place.
The site also speculates that, with co-writer/director J.J. Abrams having confirmed back in February that a script for the film had been completed, the original narrative didn't feature Lando Calrissian. Once Williams officially signed on, possibly as late as July, the script was rewritten to include not only Lando scenes, but scenes featuring a reunion with Chewbacca, requiring Suotamo to return to the production.
With production having just launched at the beginning of August, it might seem peculiar that Suotamo would wrap his role as Chewbacca so shortly after shooting began. A source confirmed with StarWarsNewsNet that the actor had filmed a majority of his role for Episode IX towards the end of production on SOLO: A Star Wars Story. If this is indeed true, then it means these scenes were filmed before the script for the Episode IX was officially completed and was likely due to the efficiency of utilizing sets at Pinewood Studios, the same place where SOLO was just filmed.
So, what do you think about this speculation? Are you excited to get more scenes featuring Chewbacca with Lando?
Star Wars: Episode IX hits theaters December 20, 2019.
Director: J.J. Abrams
Adam Driver as Kylo Ren / Ben Solo
Daisy Ridley as Rey
Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron
John Boyega as Finn
Domhnall Gleeson as General Hux
Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker
Carrie Fisher as General Leia Organa (archive footage)
Joonas Suotamo as Chewbacca
Anthony Daniels as C-3PO
Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian
Kelly Marie Tran as Rose Tico
Billie Lourd as Lieutenant Connix
Luptia Nyong'o as Maz Kanata
Richard E. Grant as unnamed character
Keri Russell as unnamed character
Naomi Ackie as unnamed character
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