People

By Rebecca Winters

WOOKIEE WHO'S BACK

America needs its hairy heroes (maybe not Robin Williams), and George Lucas is obliging. It has been 20 years since CHEWBACCA appeared in a new Star Wars movie, but Han Solo's faithful, fur-covered sidekick will return for a small part in Episode III, which starts production this summer in Australia. Peter Mayhew, the 7-ft. 3-in. English actor who donned the Wookiee suit for the first three Star Wars films--and has been signing autographs at conventions ever since--will again play the brawny warrior from the planet Kashyyyk. Lucas has said that Episode III, due for release in 2005, will be the last Star Wars movie. Cue Chewie's mournful roar.

You Should Have Seen Them in Cleveland

Chicago fans of the rock group Creed filed suit against the band last week for breach of contract after an awful December concert. The suit claimed vocalist SCOTT STAPP "left the stage on several occasions...rolled around on the floor in apparent pain...and appeared to pass out." Calls to Creed's management last week went unreturned. But after the show, Creed e-mailed fans, saying, "We hope you can take some solace in the fact that you experienced the most unique of all Creed shows." If the 15,000 fans covered by the suit get back any of the $55 ticket price, viewers of the movie Glitter and Cincinnati Bengals fans will no doubt contact their lawyers.

Why Can't Tori Go?

Some people skip their high school reunions because they're fat or unsuccessful or they don't want to run into the people who were mean to them. Svelte TORI SPELLING won't attend the Beverly Hills, 90210 10-year high school--reunion show, airing on Fox May 11, because "she's moved on," her publicist says. Some press reports, however, have said the daughter of series creator Aaron Spelling is angry that Fox won't give her a pilot and bitter toward tempestuous former co-star Shannen Doherty, who is appearing on the program. The reunion will include interviews with Jason Priestley, Luke Perry, Doherty and others talking about their auditions and "what the show has meant for establishing their careers as successful actors," according to a Fox press release. That part of the special promises to be fairly short.

The Blueprint Part III: The Sneakers

When you're a filthy-rich rapper romancing the fetching lead singer of Destiny's Child, kids want to walk in your shoes. But when JAY-Z'S sneaker line, the first from a nonathlete, became the fastest-selling shoe in Reebok history last week, desperate kids proved willing to pay more than twice the retail price of $100 for the privilege. The first shoe in the "S. Carter collection by RbK" (Jay-Z's real name is Shawn Carter) sold out in 10 cities. The sneaker is just the latest offering from the unabashedly commercial rapper; his clothing line and vodka are already in stores, and more footwear is due in July. One product idea: Jay-Z's mighty bootstraps.