janowitz20: EXCELLENT!!! Star Wars, along with Indiana Jones, IS some of John Williams' most creative work for the movies. He's said he finds it "endlessly compelling", so I'm delighted he's going to keep on writing music for Star Wars! He's said "one can do this as long as one's health holds out". May your health hold out to at least 100 years young, Johnny!
While I somewhat agree with you, jan, that much of the music in the Star Wars prequels is "incidental", I have to somewhat disagree and say that, in addition to Duel of the Fates, I like the Battle of Heroes theme from Revenge of the Sith too. I think it rocks.
Also, I find Padme and Anakin's Across the Stars love theme in Attack of the Clones quite memorable, right up there with Han & Leia's love theme in Empire and Jedi, with more of an ill-fated and tragic sound.
Also, in Revenge of the Sith, I like the "march of death" when Anakin/Vader is walking with his evil minions into the Jedi temple to kill all the Jedis, including the Younglings, and the melancholy strains when all the Jedi throughout the galaxy are being killed.
So I guess you could say I'm a fan of ALL the Star Wars music, including the music for the prequels.

Is Williams himself not interested (because Lucas won't be directly involved), or, despite the fact that Williams is still a stud, a very powerful and energetic man, feels he's getting too old and not up to the task of scoring 3 more Star Wars films (the man's in his 80s now)?
Yes, the blast of brass and main theme over the opening title and crawl, by Williams, would obviously have to remain.
If a different composer, Don Davis would be an obvious choice, since he scored Jurassic Park III, which incorporated Williams' themes from JP I & II (The Lost World), and had a Williams-esque style of music scoring for the action sequences.

Well if Abrams is directing, then Michael Giacchino it is. He's no stranger to picking up where other composers left off (M:I-3, Star Trek), so I trust he will do John Williams the justice he deserves while throwing in plenty of his own material as well.

I heard a rumor that JJ Abrams is in the running, which of course means that Michael Giacchino would get the gig. I think that could be pretty sweet.
Otherwise I agree that Silvestri would be awesome. Back to the Future was very Williams-esque in terms of its sheer scope.

you got a point there. but by reboot I mean completely starting from scratch. them pulling a "Batman Begins" or "Casino Royale" is fine with me, but if they decided to re-imagine everything, like make C3PO straight or something insert canned laughter then they might have problems.
Heck is where you go to if you don't believe in Gosh

I'd actually prefer it if they went in a new direction, with a new cast.
Let's face it a "reboot" wouldn't be anything more than new stories taking place in what is surely the largest science fiction universe ever created. I used to read Star Wars books and comics all the time, and during those exciting new tales I never once thought "I wish Luke Skywalker was in this". Besides, we already saw old-ass Harrison Ford hop back in the saddle with Indiana Jones, and I think we can all agree that seeing our hero with shaky hands and more wrinkles than Laurence Olivier was rather distressing.
For me, I'd rather the series went in a new direction. Could still take place in the same time frame, but am I really clamoring to see a Grandma Princess Leia? Not really

doubt it will be a reboot. that would be a terrible idea. plus I hear Hamill and company might be in it so that means it will take place in the same universe, which means William' themes stays
Heck is where you go to if you don't believe in Gosh

yeah forgot about Silvestri. he is a huge Williams fan. I really hope Whedon gets it now. think he's the best man for the job, plus he gets to bring along Silvestri
Heck is where you go to if you don't believe in Gosh

"all 2 of em in about 5 days time "
That both made me laugh and cry a little
Anyways, I would love to see Debney or Powell on board. Although I think we'll all be able to make a pretty firm idea once the director is announced if it's Vaughn, I bet Jackman will get it; if it's Nolan, I bet Zimmer; if it's Whedon, I bet Silvestri, etc.