I agree with you that an open mind is needed here, rather than a die-hard insistence that our original stars be cloned for the new movie. I must admit that it will be very interesting to see what type of new fanfiction following this will create, and what types of stories we'll see as a result of that.
I am rooting for this film, hopeful that it is more than just a pleasant surprise for those of us who've been in the fold since our youth.