Chewbacca to be recast for Episode VII?

A recent casting call in London suggests that the Star Wars Episode VII casting team are on the lookout for a new actor to replace Peter Mayhew in the role of Chewbacca.

The casting call, which has been linked to director JJ Abrams and producers of Star Wars Episode VII, asks for a 7ft 3in actor with a slim build.

Mayhew, who recently underwent surgery to enable him to walk again after years of poor mobility, told Bleeding Cool that he fully intends to pursue the role of Chewbacca. It is currently unknown whether he will be well enough in time for production to start in early 2014.

Is Disney planning on recasting Chewbacca or a fellow Wookiee, or perhaps simply keeping their options open? Time will tell as we creep slowly towards production.