Disney's latest Star Wars film starting last Wednesday, and the cast and crew is full of rumors. But the Hollywood Reporter finally confirmed one cast member, and it's none other than 69-year-old Peter Mayhew. Mayhew will reprise his role as the ferociously charming Wookie, Chewbacca.

From THR:

Mayhew played the legendary Wookiee and Han Solo's co-pilot in the original trilogy, beginning with Star Wars Episode IV - A New Hope in 1977. Rumors recently surfaced that he was reprising his role after he canceled an upcoming appearance at Texas convention Comicpalooza "due to filming." Since the convention takes place May 23-26, many fans wondered if that meant the actor would be busy with Episode VII.

Mayhew was a guest at the Phoenix Comicon a number of years ago and he was pleasant person to be around. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy. Better alternative to the CGI wookies from the previous movies.

The film is supposed to take place 30 years after Return of the Jedi. Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford are rumored to return, and three new characters will be introduced in this film.

Episode VII is set to hit theaters on Dec. 18, 2015.