Time for today's Wookie lesson! These Kerry pupils got a visit from #Chewbacca as #StarWars filming wraps uphttps://t.co/6IXnhTrRzk
— Entertainment on RTÉ (@RTE_Ents) May 24, 2016
It’s a lovely time to be a Wookiee. Heck, it’s like every day is Life Day for the galaxy’s favorite walking carpets. Lately, we’ve all been falling head over heels in love with Chewbacca Mom’s endless charm and aura of joy and now “classic” Chewbacca has entered the May 2016 good vibes from a Wookiee arms race.
Children at Scoil Fheirtearaigh National School in Ballyferriter, Ireland got an amazing surprise in the form of Chewbacca popping around their class. This would be the “official” Chewbacca, as in the one with Peter Mayhew as the big furry deal and he made his way in from filming duties at Star Wars: Episode VIII to provide these kids with some pretty impressive force fandom bragging rights.
The 'real' Chewbacca visits school in Baile an Fheirtéaraigh – as he leaves the #StarWars set at Ceann Sibéal. pic.twitter.com/NcoXlLMpwo
— Seán Mac an tSíthigh (@Buailtin) May 24, 2016
A bit more exciting than when the high school handbell choir comes to visit, we suppose.
BBC reports that Chewbacca’s appearance at the school wasn’t to temp as the school’s gym teacher, but was sparked by students who sent artwork to Episode VIII director Rian Johnson. The filmmaker and the production team responded by arranging a visit. Here’s how principal Mairín Ní Chartúir broke down a phone call on Friday that led to a thrill of a lifetime on Monday:
“We received a call from the production team asking could they pay a surprise visit to the kids on Monday.
“Of course, we said yes and were told to not let anyone know about the visit and the parents were told on Monday that the kids would be staying an hour later for the surprise.
“Chewbacca walked in with the production team and took photos with the children and watched them perform the Star Wars theme tune that the kids had learned, as we are quite a musical school.”
In addition to the musical tribute to Chewie, the children attempted to get their guest to say “Ta fórsa an fheirtéaraigh leat” which translates to “Ballyferriter force is with you.” Chewbacca’s not exactly known for his precise dictation, but it’s hard to imagine few things more adorable than a gaggle of Irish moppets trying to expand a space creature’s vocabulary.
Star Wars: Episode VIII, which presumably will not have Irish schoolchildren lending their skills Ewok style, is set for release on December 15, 2017.
(via BBC)
