Let's not overlook the fact that the story outlines for the new trilogy were already provided by Lucas to Disney upon signing the deal -- actually, that was one of Iger's conditions before signing. Since then, Episode VII's story had been in detailed development for a while before Abrams was hired as the director. Of course he will have his input on the story as the director, but Michael Arndt had already completed his outline before Abrams was chosen from the directing candidates, according to online reports. STAR WARS won't be like the typical, internally-developed Bad Robot films we're used to from Abrams.

Scott Weitz
Damn Dirty Geek by name, Damn Dirty Geek by nature!