It was the Summer of 1977. A new movie called Star Wars had come out and its popularity was blasting off into space. A couple miles from my house was a small movie theater called Canton Corners Theater. I had begged my mom to let me go see it, so there I was, on the back row anxiously awaiting what I heard was amazing. The lights dimmed and the words “A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away” silently appeared on the screen. And then BAM! John Williams’ iconic score blasted through the Dolby speakers. Then blockade runner appeared and the star destroyer lumbered across the screen.
Nine-year-old me was hooked.
Star Wars has been my time machine ever since. Whenever I watch that movie, I’m nine again. I wanted to be Luke Skywalker when I grew up — I dreamed there was something more exciting on my horizon than just being a middle-class kid in Marietta, Georgia. I wanted to explore the galaxy. Han, Leia, C-3PO, Luke, Darth Vader, Grand Moff Tarkin, Wedge, Biggs and Chewie were people (and droids and Wookiees) I came to know and love.
Peter Mayhew, the actor who brought Chewbacca to life has died at the age of 74. (By the way, Chewbacca got screwed at the end of the movie when he didn’t get a medal! But I digress). Mayhew played Chewie in the original trilogy, in Episode 3 and in the cockpit scenes of The Force Awakens. He had been in a wheelchair but worked hard to be able to stand to play the galaxy’s favorite Wookiee one more time. Just following Mayhew’s Twitter showed me that he LOVED being Chewie and really loved the fans who loved him. (Chewbacca lives on with Joonas Suotamo playing him).
But Mayhew’s death makes me sad. Partly because he was a good guy with a big heart. And partly because I realize that the time machine is starting to fade away.
Being nine truly is a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.
To Peter Mayhew and all who loved him — May the Force Be With You. And I hope Chewie finally got that medal he so richly deserved.