Some impressive Wookiee work here (Picture: Paul Smith)

The superfan is a brilliant specimen.

For eons we’ve worshipped at the altars of sports stars, pop stars, actors, fictional characters, collectibles, art, cars, and just about anything else we can relate to, share with others or simply connect with in some way.

Also known as a ‘fanatic’ (but, let’s face it, ‘fan’ is much more sexy), these superfans have travelled the globe to support their chosen love – and we’ve tracked down some of the most die-hard and dedicated.

Each week we’ll bring you the story of one keen punter who has dedicated their life and time (and money, so.much.money) to supporting someone or something – simply because it brings them immeasurable joy.




And that’s what life’s about, right? Welcome to Metro.co.uk’s super fun new series, I’m Your Biggest Fan.

Today we meet Paul Smith, 49, who by day is a principal hardware engineer. By night (well, technically just by other days) he’s a member of the UK Rebel Legion and moonlights as Chewbacca.

Paul has three suits – this is his most recent work (Picture: Paul Smith)

What started as a gag for a friend’s 40th a decade ago soon turned into a years-long passion project – now Paul has three Chewie costumes; his third he made himself (save for a few nuts and bolts) and is his real pride and joy.

Tell us about how you first got into wearing Chewie as a costume?

Chewbacca was always my favourite character and it was maybe 10 years ago I actually got a really cool Chewbacca costume to go to a friend’s 40th birthday party. It was just over two years ago I thought I need to get something better. I did a bit of research on the web and there was a guy who did commissions and I was only going to get him to make the mask and use my existing suit, but I got him to make the full suit and that was how I got my initial one. I couldn’t take the credit for it…

I’d wear it occasionally, to events and church fairs if I was asked. A man then got in contact on Facebook and said he organised costume collections, shopping centre visits, raising money for charity and Children’s hospices across Scotland. The very first one I had an absolute ball; I met so many people who did it. Then I was introduced to the Rebel Legion and was asked to submit my costume for clearance. I’ve done well over 500 hours in my costumes.

He’s got some real height (Picture: Paul Smith)

In total, I have three Chewbaccas, two of them are cleared with the Rebel Legion. The first two were purchased but this one is one I’ve worked on myself. Some of it I’ve purchased (mask and bandolier). I think the mask can make or break the costume, and I’m still learning my trade so I don’t think I can do it justice.



Hang on, so you’ve made your Chewbacca (Hans) Solo?

The suit is basically mesh and I use something similar to a crocheting tool to pull hair extensions through and tie them in a knot. It’s hole after hole after hole. It took me just over five weeks to complete, spending maybe three or four hours an night with it. Approximately 160 hours latch hooking.

The next thing was to make the feet. I’m just over six foot one and as Chewie I’m just over seven foot six. To get the height, you make lifts, which are effectively stilts and basically a big block of wood. I have a couple sandals screwed to the top of the base and broom handles each side of my leg for stability.

A stern word from Darth (Picture: Paul Smith)

Honestly, you’re covered in hair – how hot does that costume get?

This last summer was challenging [laughs]. I’m fine if there is a breeze because with the mesh you get a cool breeze blowing through. You do sweat, there is no way to get away from it, but it’s manageable. There was one event it was over 30 degrees with no breeze. I was quite happy to get out of there after five hours. The longest I’ve done in the costume is nine hours. It’s a long time but it’s so worth it. There was one convention where I was there for an hour-and-a-half in one spot. It was one picture after another, after another.


And how much money have you spent on your costumes?

Over the two years, probably around about £15k. That includes a non-Star Wars costume, a latex suit of a Jungle Predator.

Paul is nearly eight feet tall in his costume (Picture: Paul Smith)

Sheesh, what about the most recent Chewie you made?

There was the mask, which was the biggest expense, to put together the mesh suit was £80, the hair was £270; it was about £40 to put the feet and stilts together… All in all, probably about just over £2,500.

While the Wookiee costumes can be expensive to make, we have a lot more affordable character costumes that prospective members can create and the rewards are exactly the same which is putting smiles on faces and raising money for so many charitable causes.

The voice. Do you do the voice?

I have a sound box, but it doesn’t always work. With any costume you get malfunctions, so I’ve had to learn how to do the voice myself as a backup [writer’s note: at this stage, yes, he did the voice for us].

What does it mean to have a costume cleared?

Basically for the Rebel Legion, what normally happens is we can attend store openings, conventions, and various other events. The Rebel Legion is a worldwide organisation, with 100-150 members in the UK alone, and we are basically an organisation comprised of and operated by Star Wars fans – we’re not sponsored by Lucasfilm but we are Lucasfilm’s preferred rebel costuming group.

It takes one-to-three weeks to find out if you got clearance. Sometimes they’ll come back with minor changes. We have what they call CRL, costume requirements list, as they’re going for movie accurate costumes.


And what are the requirements?

A standard Wookiee must be over seven foot tall to clear and you can pretty much have your own colouring within certain degrees. For Chewbacca, there’s a bit more detail in it because he is what they call a face character, a hero character on screen.

What has being a part of the Rebel Legion and dressing as Chewie done for you?

It’s changed my life because I’ve met so many good friends. I don’t see a downside to it. Charities benefit from it and to see the smiles you put on people’s faces is wonderful.

There are so many talented people in the legion, I felt bad in the beginning because I bought mine – to get this one cleared would mean the world to me. I’ve put a lot of work into it. If I’m lucky enough to get it cleared, I might be the third The Force Awakens version to get in cleared and the first in the UK.

I’m Your Biggest Fan is a weekly series that deep dives into the world of fandoms, via the people who worship the hardest. Check back in next Thursday to check out the latest aficionado.

Want to get involved in I'm Your Biggest Fan? If you've got a rather brilliant obsession - from Game of Thrones to My Little Pony - and want to share the reasons why, get in touch! Covered in tattoos of your favourite soapie star? Perhaps you sold the house to satisfy your obsession with Christmas. Whatever it is, we would love to know your story. Email us celebtips@metro.co.uk, call 020 3615 2145 or visit our Submit Stuff page with a bit about what you've done, with some pictures to back it up. You'll have to be prepared to be interviewed and deep dive into the fandom - but that's the fun part, right?