‘Star Wars: Episode 7′ Not in Chewbacca’s Future; Peter Mayhew Recovering From Knee Surgery

Peter Mayhew, the 7-foot-3-inches-tall actor who famously portrayed Chewbacca in the original 'Star Wars' trilogy and 'Star Wars: Episode 3 - Revenge of the Sith,' had double knee-replacement surgery on Monday and is currently recovering.

Having been forced to rely on wheelchair maneuverability for the past two years, according to his wife, Angie Mayhew, Peter, 69, was recovering from surgery at Plaza Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas. In addition, he also endured a tendon-stretching procedure to stabilize his legs.

Peter suffers from gigantism, which causes excessive growth, and he hopes to walk again after his surgery.

With the 'Star Wars: Episode 7'-led trilogy in the near future (the first film kicking things off in 2015), fans have been speculating as to which of the original cast members, from the original trilogy and the prequels, might re-enlist for the new chapter. While certain stars, like Anthony Daniels (C-3PO) and Samuel L. Jackson (Mace Windu), have expressed interest, and Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fischer are rumored to appear, it looks as though Chewbacca will have to be recast -- at least, for now.

[AP]