Filmmaker George Lucas is going to make his third installment of the "Star Wars" prequel trilogy a bit more warm and fuzzy.

According to the official "Star Wars" Web site, Chewbacca, Han Solo's Wookie crew companion from "Star Wars," "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi," will appear in the yet-untitled "Star Wars: Episode III."

Playing opposite Harrison Ford's Solo in the original trilogy, 7-foot-3 actor Peter Mayhew will once again star as Chewbacca in "Episode III."

"I'm delighted to return as Chewbacca," Mayhew said in a statement on the official "Star Wars" Web site. "I think his re-appearance in this film is a fitting way to tie the whole saga together, especially for Wookiee fans."

Chewbacca is 200 years old in "Star Wars: Episode IV -- A New Hope," so his age allows him to fit into the prequel timeline, according to the site.

Mayhew rejoins cast mates Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), and Kenny Baker (R2D2) for the "Episode III." All three appeared together in the original "Star Wars" trilogy.

Chronicling the fall of Jedi knight Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen), "Episode III" is currently in pre-production and will be released in May 2005.