http://starwars.com/news/star-wars-episode-7-cast-announced.html

Among the obvious original cast is another name I am excited to see: Max von Sydow - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001884/

Just having Mark Hamill in there guaranteed a [censored] load of ticket sales. Smart move.

If they intend to follow the story arch established by the novels, they have to have the original characters, if not the original actors. Setting it to be 20 to 30 years after RoJ fits with how the actors aged. Also, the facial changes to Hamil (from his accident) go well to representing the things Luke Skywalker did in his pursuits of the Sith Lords and Dark Side flirtations he had.

the story is completely new no tie in to the novles

It may be a new story, but the Galaxy of Star Wars post Episode 6 is well established, and they need to work in that framework.

You mean Harrison Ford, surely? Nobody ever gave a crap about Hamill.

I wonder if Hamil's prettyboy face being ruined had any bearing on changing Luke into a celibate warrior-monk and making Solo the male love interest.

The novels are considered part of the Expanded Universe and Disney and Geroge Lucas pretty much shot those down. Pretty much I don't know what to say about the new SW film, the original cast are just to old and out of shape. I want to see a new SW film not a SW film trying to show the old cast trying to regain their glory days.

Who? Never herd of any of them.

I just hope this doesn't turn into Star Wars 90210 just like Star Trek did.

Surely you've heard of: Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker

Other than those that I just mentioned, I've no idea who the other people are.

Sounds cool. It will be interesting to see how this shapes up.

All I can say is... JJ Abrams

(New story, new universe, old characters)