‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens': Chewbacca's death teased in two trailers

Original cast members Peter Mayhew (L), who portrayed "Chewbacca," and Harrison Ford, who portrayed Han Solo, attend a screening commemorating the 30th anniversary of "Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back" — Original cast members Peter Mayhew (L), who portrayed Chewbacca, and Harrison Ford, who portrayed Han Solo, attend a screening commemorating the 30th anniversary of "Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back" in Hollywood May 19, 2010. Reuters/Fred Prouser

It has been rumoured that Han Solo dies in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” However, two trailers have already been released hinting the likely death of Chewbacca instead of Han Solo.

The final trailer for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” showed Daisy Ridley’s Rey crying over a slumped figure. The figure is largely obscured and blurred out, making it difficult to clearly identify who or what Rey is crying for. However, a screen grab provided by Cinema Blend provided a somewhat clearer look.

First thing that’s noticeable from the screen grab aside from Ridley’s crying face is the unusually long body hair surrounding the figure. According to Cinema Blend, the figure is hairier than the average person, suggesting that it could be Han Solo’s Millennium Falcon co-pilot Chewbacca lying dead on the ground. A closer look at the figure’s body also teases a familiar-looking silver body holster, which could only belong to Chewbacca.

A scene from the international trailer for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” released by Walt Disney Japan also teased Chewbacca’s death. The 1:20 time mark (scroll down for video) shows Han Solo’s bestfriend Chewbacca detonating a bomb. It’s uncertain if he chose to sacrifice himself so his friends could survive. In the “Star Wars” novels Chewbacca reportedly died a a hero after he saves his friends from the Empirial enemies.

The scene in the final preview showing Rey crying over the dead figure is further given focus in the international trailer. This time a voiceover, whom The Verge claimed to belong to Lupita Nyong’o’s Maz Kanata, gives the scene more meaning and emotional depth. Before the trailer ends, viewers can see Rey crying over the dead figure and Maz Kanata is heard saying, “Hope is not lost today. It is found.”

A supporting cast in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” previously revealed some details about a scene being filmed at the Greenham Common airbase. The extra claimed he saw a scene being filmed between Carrie Fisher, who plays Princess Leia, and a couple of Wookies. He reportedly overhead Fisher say, “I don’t know how he will cope without him.” The extra could only assume that the conversation was about Chewbacca’s death.