"Chewie, they're home," the magazine's announcement began, echoing the already iconic line – "Chewie, we're home" – that is spoken by Harrison Ford's Han Solo at the end of the latest trailer for the new movie to his constant companion, the wookie Chewbacca.
With Ford, 72, and Chewie – played as he was in the original films by the 7ft British actor Peter Mayhew, who is now 70 – the Vanity Fair cover features new characters played by British actors: Rey, played by Daisy Ridley, and Finn, played by John Boyega.
Man, Chewie hasn't aged a day.
Intended as little more than a gag, the award was conferred to such screen idols as Godzilla and Chewbacca (the award took the form of a medal, to correct the glaring omission of one being conferred upon Chewie at the end of ).
It does seem significant that, upon Rey's return, Leia walks right past Chewbacca to hug a girl she's supposedly never met before, with Chewie having just lost his best bud in the world.
Back to the trailer: John Boyega is there, running with Rey, and then *bam* they're on the Millennium Falcon with Han and Chewie.
You need to watch this even if just for the reception Han and Chewie get.
There is plenty to pour over during its two-minute run length – with the return of Han and Chewie, a decaying Vader mask and Luke getting a bionic hand – but some sizable spoilers were also served up during the panel chat.
Tears were shed, scenes were analysed and the verdict is unanimous that Chewie has aged well.
