Joonas Suotamo is Chewbacca in SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY.
Chewbacca (The Force Awakens)
Chewbacca feels central to the story in The Force Awakens as he and Han are so closely intertwined with everything that happens to Rey and Finn after they escape Jakku.
He took on Kanji Club, the Guavian Death Gang, Rathtars, and Stormtroopers. It’s wonderful to see Chewie and Han still best friends and working closely together again. He quickly takes on a liking for Rey and Finn and becomes one of their most important allies and friends.
He’s integral to the destruction of Starkiller Base, as he not only helps set the charges that damage the thermal oscillator, but he’s the one to detonate the charges after Kylo kills Han. His devastation upon witnessing Han’s death is heartbreaking, and injuring Kylo with a shot from the bowcaster helps Rey defeat Kylo as he’s already severely injured.
Chewie has less screentime in The Last Jedi, and much of it is reserved for comic relief involving his interactions with Porgs. When considering the longtime importance of Chewie and the rich relationships he’s shared with characters like Luke and Leia, it’s disappointing that everyone’s favorite Wookie didn’t get more to do.
It’s harder to pull that off without Han by his side, but it’s certainly not impossible. At the very least there should’ve been more interactions between Luke and Chewie.