Chewbacca, nicknamed "Chewie", is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise. He is a Wookiee—a tall, hairy, highly intelligent species originating from the planet Kashyyyk. He is 7.5 feet (2.3 m) tall, and typically wears only a bandolier and a tool pouch. He carries a bowcaster, a traditional Wookiee weapon, and he speaks the Wookiee language Shyriiwook. He first appeared in the original Star Wars film (1977) and its novelization (1976) as the loyal friend of the smuggler Han Solo. Chewbacca is also the co-pilot of Han's starship, the Millennium Falcon.