Solo: A Star Wars Story new footage reveals how Chewbacca got his name

'You're going to need a nickname, because I ain't saying that every time'

It's a question many a Star Wars fan has pondered over.

How exactly is Chewbacca called Chewbacca if he can't even pronounce his own name? Well, it seems like Solo: A Star Wars Story is prepped to answer that question, as a new featurette teases a scene in which Han asks the Wookiee what he should be calling him.

Chewie replies in his own native language Shyriiwook, to which Han quickly retorts: "You're going to need a nickname, because I ain't saying that every time."

If you're really going for a deep dive into Star Wars lore, Han technically couldn't have been the first person to have come up with the name since Chewbacca's referred to as such in the still-canon The Clone Wars TV series - but it's probably sensible to assume Solo will go for a little creative rewrite here so Han can bestow the name.

We also get a much better look at Han in the uniform associated with AT-ST drivers (the chicken-legged battle vehicles the Empire is so fond of); it's been increasingly hinted that Han may have actually started out his life as an Imperial recruit.

"He's the most exciting character in the saga for me," screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan said of the character. "You don't know what he's going to do, he's reckless."

Alden Ehrenreich stars as our titular smuggler, joined by Donald Glover, Emilia Clarke, Woody Harrelson, Thandie Newton, and Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

Solo: A Star Wars Story hits UK cinemas 25 May.

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