Star Wars News

The actor behind one of the most beloved -- and most hairy -- of Star Wars icons is coming to Star Wars Celebration Europe in Essen this July: Peter Mayhew will be at greeting fans and signing autographs in the Celebration Autograph Hall.

Originally an English hospital worker, Peter Mayhew was discovered when his photo was featured in a newspaper article about men with large feet. Mayhew, who stands 7'3", was subsequently cast as the Minotaur in Ray Harryhausen's Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger. Around the same time, he was cast by a young writer/director named George Lucas in a space fantasy known as Star Wars. The actor threw himself into the role -- even visiting zoos to study the movement of bears, monkeys, gorillas and other animals with traits that could be used in defining the Wookiee co-pilot's performance. Once inside the costume, Mayhew embodied the character singularly and completely, creating one of the saga's most enduring characters.

Visit www.starwarscelebration.eu today to buy tickets and for more information on Celebration Europe. Be sure to keep an eye on the Star Wars Blog for an inside look at the planning and development of this highly-anticipated event. For more information on how the Autograph Hall will work, and for tips and tricks how to make the most of your autograph time at Celebration Europe, visit Official Pix.