I heard a rare interview with George Lucas on a radio program on the local college radio station ( I do not know where it is from ). Here is the transcript that pertains to GONK.
Interviewer: So have you heard of the GONK craze?
George Lucas: Yes I have, its ironic really, in the first draft of the script GONK was the main character. I only used Luke in Star Wars because I thought people would not be receptive to the whole GONK as hero idea. GONK still controlled the action, but from the background.
Interviewer: So is GONK going to be in the new films?
GL: Oh yes. He will be the central character again, but Obi-Wan Kenobi will cover this time. GONK is the LORD of the Star Wars universe.