If things had turned out differently , Peter Mayhew could have played Bigfoot , tote up to a resume that already include the coolest Wookiee in a galaxy far , far away . Sean Whitley , writer and director of Southern Fried Bigfoot , explains .
While flash Return of the Jedi in the redwood forests of Northern California , Peter Mayhew , the seven foot , three inch actor who portray Chewbacca the Wookiee , was warn not to take the air off set in costume for fear of being shot by Hunter . “ Remember , this is Bigfoot country , ” he was told by implicated crew members . Coincidentally enough , Mayhew was bind years subsequently to the rubric character in “ Bigfoot , ” a film that was write by Mark Hanson and was to be directed by Brad Keller of Texas - based Fireside Entertainment . The film was in development from more or less 1999 - 2001 .
Hanson say he picked Bigfoot as the issue matter out of “ stark fascination . ” alike , Keller says that “ Mysteries always stimulate me . ” The labor required both to do a fleck of research , and they even consulted with Bigfoot buff , including appendage of the then - title Texas Bigfoot Research Center . Hanson add together that Bigfoot researchers “ follow out of the woodwork once it was recognise we were working on a pic ” about the subject .
fit in to Keller , the film ’s plot concentrate on Bigfoot being “ the miss linkup between man and aliens from another world . ” “ Missing Link ” was also a potential title for the pic , and during appearances at memorabilia and science fable conventions , Peter Mayhew referred to the project as “ Bigfoot Among Us . ” In a blurb from a 2001 issue of “ The Star Wars Insider , ” Mayhew referred to the film ’s tone as being in the same vein as “ The X - Files . ”
As for how Keller and Hanson managed to get Mayhew interested in the title role , Keller recalls “ I approached him at a political party and he was interested in playing the part . ”
Peter Mayhew photo viaLazze X.
Keller and Hanson shot a dawdler for the film in the woods of East Texas . shot was planned to take place in both Texas and Louisiana , and casting notices appeared in regional newspapers such as “ The Dallas Observer . ” Hanson recalls that they were “ told by a studio apartment we had a sight . ” Nine age later , Hanson says they ’re “ still waiting on the deal ; I quit holding my breath , though . ”
While the film never terminate up getting made , Keller say he ’d “ still like to make it if funding can be grow . ” As for Peter Mayhew , he got the chance to don another hirsute , bipedal creature suit for “ Star Wars Episode Three : Revenge of the Sith ” which was give up in 2005 .
Special thanks to Brad Keller and Mark Hanson for sharing their recollections .
This post by Sean Whitleyoriginally come along at Cryptomundo . Sean Whitley is the author and theater director of “ Southern Fried Bigfoot , ” which is presently in program rotary motion on The Documentary Channel .
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