'Star Wars: Episode 8' production update: Chewie filming scenes at Ceann Sibeal

Chewbacca decided to surprise a few young fans by leaving the Ceann Sibeal set of “Star Wars: Episode 8” to visit with them. The man in the suit is speculated to be Joonas Suotamo and not Peter Mayhew, but the children nevertheless enjoyed his company.

A video posted on The Movie Bit shows Chewie playing around with a bunch of school kids and also posing for pictures with the teachers. The students, and what appears to be some of the parents, wait patiently as “Star Wars” music plays in the background and suddenly they are greeted with a tall figure with fur.

The Walking Carpet then took centre stage and interacted with the children. One of the girls was too scared to be held by Chewie, but at least two boys got picked up by the actor in the suit. Some of the girls and the boys shared their experience on camera later on, but it is not clear what they are saying. All the children, however, seem happy with the surprise visit.

The video now confirms that scenes involving Chewbacca are being filmed for “Star Wars: Episode 8” at the moment. The leaks and scene descriptions from the movie have so far not mentioned the character and this is the first big confirmation that he is there on the set.

[Spoiler alert]

Chewbacca was last seen racing towards the planet Ahch-To, towards the end of “The Force Awakens,” along with Rey (Daisy Ridley). The final scene only featured Rey meeting with Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill).

“Star Wars: Episode 8” will pickup right after the ending in “The Force Awakens.” Generally there is a gap of a few years between the movies in the franchise, but this time there will be a break with tradition. The movie is expected to explore Rey’s journey to become a Jedi and the continued fight of the Resistance against the First Order.