It was 1977 when audiences were first introduced to the mighty Wookiee, Chewbacca, who along with smuggler Han Solo, served as co-pilot of the legendary Millennium Falcon. It was on this day back in 1944 that actor Peter Mayhew entered the world, and in celebration of the 71st birthday of the man behind the furry mask, Hasbro is featuring the first-ever Chewbacca figure from the 1978 Kenner STAR WARS line as today’s entry into their Force Friday Countdown Calendar. While Chewie and Han have had many adventures over the years, I, too have had my fair share with the Wookiee at my side. From backyard battles and trips to my Grandparents’ farm (where I once thought my Chewbacca figure had fallen down a vent and into their massive fire-burning furnace) to a recent trip to Los Angeles, where I took my Kenner counterpart to a meeting at ABC, and to the famous Walt Disney Studios Lot and Disney Legends Plaza. While my original Chewie is long-gone, I currently own two vintage figures – the loose 1978 version, and a carded RETURN OF THE JEDI version that my wife purchased from Brian’s Toys for me as a birthday gift back in the late 90s.
Keep your browser pointed toward THE ROCK FATHER as we continue the #ForceFridayCountdown en route to #ForceFriday, the day that new Hasbro toys for STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS arrive at retail! 108 Days to Go!
