I'm pretty happy about this, if only because if Abrams can make the best Star Trek movie ever (of course, the competition was not great), then he can make a decent Star Wars movie.
I didn't mind the light saber. New way to sell toys I guess.
The controversy has been amongst the hardcore "Extended Universe" fans, who are seeing beloved characters and story lines which never made it beyond novels erased. I think it was Jaina Solo, one of Han Solo and Leia's kids, who has made the fanboys go wahwah because she is a powerful female character blahblah and I love her like a sister blahblah and so on. Oh yes, see this
http://www.starwarsunderworld.com/2014/06/episode-vii-actress-daisy-ridley.html
