Re: Star Wars Episode VII
I agree. I think the next generation should take over very quickly. I can't imagine having Ford in all three films, unless it's just a quick cameo similar to Nimoy in the new Trek.
Assuming all 3 return you'll have to devote time to
R2/3PO
Luke
Leia
Han
New People
Bad guys
etc.
A prominent role would have one guy featured in around 40 minutes of a 2 hour movie. Not what i'd call a huge chunk of time. What was Ford's screen time in ROTJ? Can't imagine it was much more than 40, if that.
That said, not saying they should go one way or the other, mind you, just saying that the character having a sizable role doesn't equate to tons of screen time either. So either was is possible.
I don't think new characters have to take over quickly either - don't think it's necessarily a requirement for E7. Has to happen by 9 though.
Your original characters are going to have kids in the 20ish years old range. Not enough to trust your kids in general, and especially not after the lack of trust everyone had through the imperial years. With the OT crew in charge of things now (or so you'd think) - i think that's a part of the aspect of this series. How do you entrust everything you've fought for to those who never knew the other side?
There was a side of the rebellion running the show so to speak. It wasn't Leia (or luke or han for that matter). In the OT we saw the 20 somethings fighting the battle and pretty much nothing of those orchestrating it. This time I believe we'll see both. Which would enable large roles on both sides of the spectrum.
I can also see a Leia as chancellor or whatever and the the fact she's got force ability get out and have scare the ever loving crap out of everyone after the last force capable person sat in that chair
