According to director Rian Johnson in a DGA podcast, when dressed as Chewbacca he carried little candies around in Chewbacca's satchel.
A Finnish native who played basketball as a power forward and center for the Penn State NIttany Lions, where he majored in film and video, Suotamo is also an actor and singer.
Before getting the Star Wars role and after his basketball career Joonas Suontamo worked as a insurance seller.
According to director Rian Johnson in a DGA podcast, hugging Joonas dressed as Chewbacca feels more like hugging a dog than hugging a bear.