The 7-foot actor who played Chewbacca in the popular Star Wars franchise, was stopped today by airport security. The reason? He was carrying a lightsaber cane that was a security risk. 

The 69-year-old Mayhew was heading home from a Denver Comic Con when his movie-inspired cane forced a second look from TSA agents. 

The Chewbacca actor told his Twitter followers about the incident, protesting the unfair inspection by TSA agents.

He then posted a pic of him being stopped by security while siting in a wheelchair to Twitter.

He uses the lightsaber cane because of a bum knee he told CNN. With the Twitter pic he included the amusing  caption:

"Magic words to TSA are not 'please' or 'thank you'.. It's 'Twitter'.. cane released to go home."

That wasn't the end of the fun Chewbacca had with airport security. 

A comedian, Phil Walker, updated TSA's security signs to show what had happened to Chewbacca's actor, Mayhew.

TSA emailed a response to CNN.com about the Chewbacca incident writing: 

"Because of the unusual weight of the passenger's cane, a security officer alerted a supervisor. Less than five minutes later, the passenger and cane were cleared to travel." 

Mayhew credits Twitter for his speedy passage through security once they checked out his cane. 

According to the list of prohibited items by TSA, a lightsaber is allowed:

Writes the TSA:

"Sadly, the technology doesn't currently exist to create a real light saber. However, you can pack a toy light saber in your carry-on or checked bag. May the force be with you.

"Even if an item is generally permitted, it may be subject to additional screening or not allowed through the checkpoint if it triggers an alarm during the screening process, appears to have been tampered with, or poses other security concerns. The final decision rests with TSA on whether to allow any items on the plane."

Chewbacca actor Peter Mayhew learned the hard way that lightsabers are no laughing matter.