Glad I didn't come off as offensive, as I do occasionally come off a little strong. However... like growing up and growing old, characters change and so does what they are doing. I can certainly see Solo being grumpy with being a second fiddle to Leia trying to get the new republic going and all that politicing, but think of it this way... having been a smuggler, and knowing how they operate he would be suited for a fantastic mediator for the common people - those who were greatly ignored by authorities and the Jedi in the PT, who dealt more with the rich and those in power. He could certainly be seen as a very successful business tycoon... or... he could even be so weary with the establishment that he breaks off and becomes pretty much a crime boss like Jabba - not as fat as Jabba, but you get the picture. There are a myriad options for this character, if the writer and director and Lucas is brave enough to make the character interesting again, as he did become a bit of a follower and a lost some of his edginess in the latter films. I don't even know how the EU treated the character, but I doubt they pushed him further than what he already was - an ex-smuggler.
With Leia being the expected leader, there is a tremendous amount of pressure there and it can push her in any direction. It could make her the most lovable leader (boring and without much drama, in a way) or they could give her a duality, where she actually starts compromising in order to achieve the goals of restoring the republic... in effect making her have an edge. Solo may even be pushing things that way. Though... again... who would like to see people who struggled all through the galactic Empire days only to become exactly like those they fought - sure, that's what happens in reality, but would it be something anyone would like to see in Star Wars, basically, as was eloquently stated in Batman: Either you die a hero or see yourself become the villain. Do anyone want that level of realism in the next couple of films? The breaking apart of the trio, giving rise to the struggle between them to either destroy each other or find a way to get back on track. Sure, it's great drama... but is it something that fits into the Star Wars universe. I always sorta thought that's what happened to Anakin... he was a good man, who had a set of goals, but along the way lost track of the methods used to achieve that goal.
What I'm saying is: the character arcs really aren't over or locked in place. Great drama adds doubts and change and controversy and a push against the status quo and what you believe in and what you are. It's kinda sad to hear from people who can't imagine interesting stories with these characters just because they are a little old. It just feels like a loss of imagination and I really do not mean that as an insult. There are still loads to tell with these characters and it all depends on writing good, compelling stories where they are suddenly the old guard and new up-and-comers are coming in and taking the scene, and they have to figure out how best to guide them and build a world around them that is worth handing over and continue.
