As I've argued elsewhere George seems to be a fan of all early talkie tropes, including travelogue film series like Tarzan (Chewie's fourth wall breaking yodel is illustrative).

The Ewoks are the Star Wars version of the cannibal African tribesman that nobody would be able to get away with now in much the same way that Jar-Jar is Stepin Fetchit but at least the Ewoks are so obscured by their appearance and their language that they almost get away with it.

I personally would have played against their cute appearance.

Maybe another in another reworking those teddy bears will have shark teeth.