Do you know anything about the actual stories? Episode VII was actually written as about 30 years after episode VI... so time-wise, using Hamill, Fisher, and Ford makes sense...
Not having Samuel Jackson is a good thing IMO, Liam Neeson even though I love his acting vowed to never be involved with Star Wars again... I liked Ewan McGregor as a young Obi Wan though... George Lucas never wanted to do Episodes VII, VIII, or IX ever and still doesn't, but he sold Lucas films to Disney, so they will do whatever the hell they want now...
Lucas is definitely up there with Verne (IMO) and definitely with Gene Roddenberry... More have come sense and had great success like Joss Whedon (Buffy, Angel, Firefly, & Serenity, among his involvement in other things) and I'm sure others will continue to come...
Personally, I can't effing wait! I've seen 5 of the 6 as original release (Keep in mind I'm only 36 and the first one actually came out about 7 months before I was born)
I've seen all 6 of the movies.
I must confess, I don't know the long story line as well as you do. My 30 year old Son, keeps me informed well, much like your insight. He too, explained how and why the new Franchise and story makes sense to bring the old Luke, and Princess back.
I'm more or less, saying, I fear seeing an aged wrinkled Carrie Fisher, and Mark Hammill who's voice anymore is to stereotyped of The Joker, who he does voice overs of, on a Batman comic/cartoon story line. I wonder if he's ruined those vocal chords.
More or less, I'm only parodying the original troupe. An aged trio of Hans, Luke, and Leah, to me are over the hill, LIKE ME...! A dinosaur amongst young players, mice and men...LOL....
I don't doubt Disney will make this Franchise work. The Evil Empire is Disney....
I enjoyed the first Pirates of The Caribbean, yet think Disney Beat a horse til it was dead, while Depp cashed in. I would of incorporated Pirates II, into I, then completed the Pirates story in a 2nd installment.
But, this is about Star Wars, and I'm sure it will make triple digit millions, tho' I doubt I will see it, maybe, my Son doesn't let me off so easy....I'm sure he will bound, gag, and tie me then drag me to the movies... seriously...!