The seventh installment of the Star Wars saga should be kept in the spirit of the classic trilogy, with a look towards the exciting game "The Old Republic" for inspiration. The new episode is rumored to begin approximately 30-35 years after the events in ‘Return Of The Jedi' (ROTJ), which leaves amble room for manouvre.
I believe the best way to continue this great saga is to think out of the box, but still keep the basic concepts of classic Star Wars at the core of the adventures (Sith vs. Jedi). Disney/Lucasfilm should not try to fit the multitude of events from the Expanded Universe into the new movies.
Inspiration from the trailers of the Old Republic game could help to establish the feeling of a Galaxy divided and in turmoil following the events in ROTJ. I basically imagine the Galaxy divided between the Warlords of the Imperial Remnant (30%), the New Republic (30%) and a multitude of neutral independent systems (40%).
The many independent systems of the Galaxy should not be willing to re-unite under any form of central Galactic government after the fall of the Empire. The destruction of the democratic institutions of the Old Republic by Palpatines' New order, should NOT be easily overcome. It could take Jedi-counselors centuries to restore faith in a central Galactic government again.
A shaky armistice (Treaty of Coruscant), between the Imperial Remnant and the New Republic, should be in place at the beginning of the movie. This armistice should have been agreed to by both sides, following almost two decades of intense warfare between them.
The New Republic and the revived Jedi Order is militarily strong, but does not approve of military conquest as a form of expansion. That is why Jedi-counselors are dispatched to all corners of the galaxy, in an effort to sway the many independent neutral systems to slowly re-join a Galactic Republic via trade arrangements and various treaties that ensures FREEDOM to all sentient beings.
However, the many force sensitive agents of the late Lord Sidious (Imperial Hands, Guards, Inquisitors and Dark Acolytes) are also being re-united under a new strong Sith leader who deplores the break-up of the once almighty Galactic Empire. This new Sith Master has used the past decades to reform the ways of the ancient Sith Order to bring back LAW & ORDER to the chaotic Galaxy. The Sith Master has changed the ways of the Sith away from the "rule of two", so that the Sith will have the sufficient numbers to re-conquer the whole Galaxy and defeat the New Republic and its hated Jedi defenders.
The powerful new Sith Order with its many warriors and agents would force the Imperial warlords of the Deep Core to unite behind them during the first movie. Thus turning the Imperial Remnant into a new strong Sith Empire with well-known TIE-fighters (incl. TIE-defenders), Star Destroyers, Stormtroopers, Walkers and Imperial Officers at its disposal. The Sith Empire would begin expanding into neutral territory militarily and this would bring it into direct confrontation with the New Republic and the Jedi Order. The stage is set for brand new great STAR WARS adventures, battles between good and evil and light sabres ratling...
