star wars - Why didn't Chewbacca get a medal after the battle of Yavin?

At the end of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, there is a medal ceremony where Princess Leia awards Luke and Han each a medal for their heroism. Why didn't Chewbacca receive one?

A new hope medal ceremony

Note : While Chewbacca's Wookipedia entry states that he did receive one, this information is not Disney/G-canon since he did not receive one on the Blue-ray version, making the absence of medal canon.

Answer

Although not depicted in the film, according to the Star Wars movie novelization ghostwritten by Alan Dean Foster and the comic adaptation, Chewbacca did receive a medal.

From the comic:

Chewbacca receives a medal for his heroic efforts during the Battle of Yavin.

From the novel:

She placed something heavy and golden around Solo's neck, then Chewbacca's--having to strain to do so--and finally around Luke's.

Since from the Expanded Universe's perspective, Chewbacca did receive a medal, you are unlikely to see an explanation outside of the films for why Chewbacca does not receive a medal on-screen.

If you want documented evidence of Carrie Fisher placing a medal on Chewbacca on video, Chewbacca got a MTV Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997. This award ceremony was detailed in Star Wars Insider #35 "Chewbacca's Lifetime Achievement Award" by Athena Portillo (page 28), along with a brief mention to your question.

Was the 7'2" Chewie too tall for the petite princess to reach during the ceremony? or...Was the medal too small and not accommodating enough for such a furry Wookiee? The answer? Simply none of the above. It just wasn't written into the Star Wars script.

Chewbacca accepts his medal of honor at the 1997 MTV Movie Awards

The answer from Star Wars Insider is probably the best answer you will get from Lucasfilm.

Comments

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