Speculation Which characters do you want to see in episode 7?

"But what about the dedicated fans who have not read those novels" You could still enjoy the story. Maybe more so than fans who have read the trilogy because of the element of originality and surprise for you. I'm not necessarily for the Zahn trilogy to be the basis for these films, but I don't think incorporating EU elements would in any way take away from these films.

Depends on what elements.

If they use the Dathomir witchs as the villians (but original characters), or some planets or back ground characters, sure its no big deal.

But if they tried to make episode VII the "continuing story of Jaina Solo", that would be a huge mistake and I don't think they are going to do that.

Old characters:

Luke
Leia
Han
Chewie
C3P0
R2D2
Yoda (force ghost)
Boba Fett
Old school Stormtroopers (and NO CGI troopers! Actual people in costume please)

New characters:
Han and Leia's kids - a boy and a girl in their late teens/early twenties
Another young girl (same age as H&L's kids) - to serve as a love interest for H&L's son.
A dark jedi (former pupil of Luke's) - the main villain. One who has been planning on returning the old Empire to its former glory.
Luke's wife (Mara Jade? - maybe not but someone like her) - she can serve as another Jedi. But she also uses a blaster. She can be younger than Luke - say in her 40s. We can speculate that Luke has gone through a few wives since Episode VI (LOL!).
New bounty hunters

Wedge and Wes Janson would be awesome in the movies!

NONE of the OT. None of them. Please. It just wouldn't work.

All new characters. Either that or start with Jaina, Ben, etc after Luke, Han, and Leia are dead.

I want to see Sith, and not just two. Jedi VS Sith Battle ala Lord of the Rings scale. Dear god....that would be cinematic glory.

More than any other character, I'm super-excited to see Mark Hamill reprise the role of Luke Skywalker (I've only been waiting for this since I was seven years old, watching ROTJ in the theatre). Given my druthers, I'd go so far as to put Luke in all three of the sequel films, ultimately surviving the trilogy with his fate left open.

I'm certainly open to Han Solo and Leia Organa. The same goes for Lando, Chewbacca and Wedge as Rogue Leader, as well.

The droids are a must, of course.

I'd dig an Ewan McGregor appearance in a cameo as the spirit of Obi-Wan (and wouldn't balk at Hayden taking on a similar role).

Personally, I'd love to see Boba Fett appear alive and well (and stay that way), not only because I enjoy the character and could imagine a fine part being written for him, but also to put to rest the lingering question of Boba's survival in canon once and for all. Along these lines, I would enjoy the appearance of a Mandalorian army.

Just as important as Luke, I hope (and fully expect) to see a new generation of heroes and villains for us to fall in love with and wouldn't balk at these including existing EU creations like Ben Skywalker, Jacen and Jaina Solo, etc. I know this seems like a long list favoring only the original characters, but believe me, I'm really looking forward to embracing a new set of characters. I just don't see any reason why these films cannot support both by paying homage to and doing right by, the old, while turning the story over to the new.

Gee, can you tell that I'm excited. I'm even looking forward to the action figures from Hasbro (with the producers giving each of these characters multiple costume / accessory changes to ensure more figures, I'm sure).

Admiral Ackbar

Maybe the dead tauntaun from ESB can come back as a Force Ghost?

Sy Snootles!

Nein Nunb and Ice Cream Maker Guy!!!

Actually seeing the Max Rebo band again would be cool, maybe a CGI version?

Old Characters: Luke, Han, Leia, Lando, Wedge, R2D2 and Boba Fett. I personally can live with Chewie still being dead and without C3P0.

New Skywalker and/or Solo Kids. Boba Fett Kid. Lando Kid. Some new jedi characters but not all white males like the EU lets get some diversity like in the PT.

I'd love to see Jaina and Ben and maybe even Allana, but not if she's little.

Mara Jade

To those proposing bounty hunters. I agree. They wouldn't even have to be actual bounty hunters but some of that "scum and villainy" type from the underworld. Boba Fett is my all time favorite character from Star Wars, but I hope he does not return. Leave him to the EU, but not resurrected for films.

Well if Boba Fett doesn't return as the main bounty hunter, which I hope he does, it should be either IG-88 or Bossk.

The one-armed Wampa.

Definitely Jaina Solo for FelsGoddess. Other than that, I wouldn't miss anyone too drastically. I'm sure R2 will be in it.

This. Always this.

Oh these should definitely come back together to get revenge, lol.

Mara Jade (Skywalker?) and Corran Horn

Luke is a must. Droids are a must. Everything else is up in the air..

... aside from the one-armed Wampa. He's slowly getting his way across the galaxy and that's the big-twist ending where he finally gets his revenge on Luke.

Bib Fortuna.

Luke, Han, and Leia played by the original actors!! I'd like to see the story focus mostly on them. Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, and Carrie Fisher are the reason Star Wars is so special to me. The deep friendships, great chemistry, brilliant actors- Bring them back!

(Also like to see Artoo, Threepio, Lando, Chewie and other OT faves as well, but Luke, Han, and Leia are an absolute must for me!)

Corran Horn. He is my favorite Jedi. He isn't all powerful but he gets the job done. Plus he is one of the best X-wing pilots in the galaxy.