Ewoks replaced Wookiees

In early versions of the script, the forest moon of Endor would have been home to the Wookiees, Chewbacca's species, though that was eventually changed after George Lucas decided that the Ewoks would generate better merchandising opportunities.

People on the production team did not take kindly to the decision, particularly concept artist Ralph McQuarrie, who refused to work on designs for the cute furry little creatures.

He said: "They were starting to look teddy bear-like and I wasn’t for that. So I gave them three or four drawings that I thought were right on and said, ‘That’s it. Now if you don’t like those, I’m out of this competition.’”