Is There a Familial Link Between Chewbacca and Bigfoot?

On Sunday, Feb. 26, 1984, countless children across the U.S. tuned in to CBS to watch the television premiere of "Star Wars" (also known as "Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope").

"Is that Bigfoot?" your father inquires as Chewbacca makes his appearance on the screen.

"No, Dad," you reply.

You’ve explained Chewbacca to your dad before. He’s seen the toy and even watched shows like "In Search of" and "The Six Million Dollar Man," which featured Bigfoot, so he should recognize the difference.

"He resembles Bigfoot," your dad insists before leaving the room.

All you can do is sigh in response.

Over 36 years have passed since then. With eight additional films in the franchise now released, you find yourself revisiting your dad’s mix-up and pondering: What truly links these two towering, hairy figures?

The term "Bigfoot" refers to Sasquatch, a mythical creature from North American folklore described as a large, hairy, ape-like being. Rooted in the traditions of various Indigenous tribes, Bigfoot represents a common archetype in global myths: the beastman, a hybrid of human and animal traits that roams the wild, untouched regions of the world. In contemporary culture, Bigfoot has evolved into a symbol of humanity's fascination with the unknown and a representation of ecological awareness. It also remains a popular subject of pseudoscientific studies and unverified encounters.

Wookiees, such as Chewbacca, exist solely within the "Star Wars" universe, which is set in a distant galaxy. As depicted in 1978's "The Star Wars Holiday Special" and other media, Wookiees originate from the lush planet Kashyyyk. Despite being perceived as primitive by some, they possess a sophisticated culture and are skilled in advanced technology. They played a pivotal role in the Clone Wars and the Galactic Civil War, with Chewbacca emerging as a key figure in the Rebel Alliance.

Cryptids, Lemurs, and Dogs: The Hairy Origins of Chewbacca

It’s natural to question whether the Wookiee introduced in the 1977 movie "Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope" drew inspiration from Bigfoot, a figure already embedded in popular culture by that time. Let’s examine whether the evidence supports this idea.

For an in-depth exploration of the Wookiee’s origins, Michael Heilemann’s Kited.com article is unparalleled. The author highlights that George Lucas, the creator of "Star Wars," often credited his dog Indiana as a key influence. In fact, Chewbacca has been characterized as "a dog standing on two legs" or "a canine permitted to wield a weapon."

Lucas also collaborated with other creative talents, such as Ralph McQuarrie, the artist behind the poster for the 1972 Bigfoot film "The Legend of Boggy Creek" and its 1984 follow-up. However, when designing Chewbacca, Lucas instructed McQuarrie to envision "a lemur covered in fur with a massive, ape-like build," as Heilemann notes.

Examining these early design sketches, the lemur-like features are unmistakable. Although this concept didn’t appear in the original "Star Wars" trilogy, it later influenced the creation of the Lasat species, which debuted in the 2014 animated series "Star Wars Rebels."

Lucas later provided McQuarrie with a reference image: a depiction of a "jaenshi" by John Schoenherr, featured in a George R.R. Martin short story from the July 1975 issue of "Analog." Interestingly, the future "A Game of Thrones" author played a minor role in Chewbacca’s development. As Heilemann details, McQuarrie refined the image and merged it with existing elements of Chewbacca’s design. While the final version was less polished than the Wookiees seen on screen, the core design was already in place.

Heilemann delves deeper into the design evolution, addressing conflicting narratives but concluding that the modifications resulted in a "gentler" appearance. This shift aligned with script revisions that transformed Chewbacca from a savage jungle dweller to Han Solo's trusted co-pilot and smuggling ally.

While no direct connection exists between Bigfoot and Chewbacca, the 1970s Bigfoot phenomenon undoubtedly influenced the cultural backdrop from which these concepts arose. Both characters straddle the line between human and animal, symbolizing the harmony of nature we admire and the primal instincts within us. Chewbacca is endearing, yet capable of extreme actions, like tearing off arms during a Dejarik game. Similarly, Bigfoot stories oscillate between awe-inspiring encounters and tales of peril.

Nevertheless, Dad was mistaken. Chewbacca is not Bigfoot.