Via HollywoodReporter.com:

Peter Mayhew will play Chewbacca for Disney and Lucasfilm’s upcoming sequel, sources tell The Hollywood Reporter. Mayhew played the legendary Wookiee and Han Solo’s co-pilot in the original trilogy, beginning with Star Wars Episode IV – A New Hope in 1977. Rumors recently surfaced that he was reprising his role after he canceled an upcoming appearance at Texas convention Comicpalooza “due to filming.” Since the convention takes place May 23-26, many fans wondered if that meant the actor would be busy with Episode VII.