Facts About Ewoks and Endor From Return of the Jedi

Ewoks! Whether you love or hate the incredibly cute but formidable furry creatures, they are a major part of the Star Wars canon, which means they are also part of the Star Wars universe. With that in mind, here are some facts and stories about them and the moon they live on, which is called Endor.

• The word Ewok is never mentioned, not even once, in Return of the Jedi. The creatures are, however, referenced in the movie's credits. 
• Kenny Baker, who was famous for playing R2-D2, was supposed to play the part of Ewok Wicket W. Warrick. When it came to the time for filming, he was too sick to take part, so a very young Warwick Davis filled in at the last moment (he has the perfect name, right?). The rest is history and Davis has made a hugely successful career out of acting ever since, both in the Star Wars franchise and beyond. Baker did, in the end, have a cameo as an Ewok  – he's the one that steals a Stormtrooper's speed bike as a diversion tactic.
• The scenes of Endor's forest, including the Ewok assault and the speed biker race, were filmed at locations in North Carolina, USA.
• One idea for Return of the Jedi was for the Wookie people to feature as the combatants the Storm Troopers faced during the Battle of Endor. It was eventually realized that the concept of the Wookies engaging in the intended primitive acts the script demanded was silly, as it was clear from Chewbacca that the species was too advanced as he could fly the Millennium Falcon. As a result, the Ewoks were born. 
• The cynics out there disregard this story and believe the Ewoks were created as they were more marketable in terms of merchandise opportunities.

• Wicket W. Warrick's name is never mentioned in Return of the Jedi, only in the movie's credits. 
• What do you get if you say Wookie backward? Well, it kind of sounds like “Ewok” (“Ekow?”). It is, however, said that Ewoks are named after the Miwok, a Native American tribe who are indigenous to the Redwood forest where the scenes featuring the cuddly critters were filmed.
• Endor is not a planet but a moon. The Return of the Jedi novel suggested that the planet around which the moon orbited was destroyed a long time ago. That planet was called Endor, hence why some people call Endor, the Forest Moon of Endor. Other media suggests a planet does exist.
• Endor went on to feature in a couple of Star Wars spin-off movies, namely Caravan of Courage, which featured the Gorax as the chief monster villain, and Battle for Endor. These movies introduced magic and mysticism whereas the trilogy had only the Force. This change was designed to appeal to children and thus witches, wizards, giants, and fairies featured in the movies. 
• The Ewoks managed to star in their own cartoon that ran for two seasons. 

This article was produced and syndicated by Wealth of Geeks.