But I think George Lucas wanted to sell toys, and thus needed Storm Troopers and the Empire in this old trilogy.
I just don’t see the New Order, new Storm Troopers, and walkers, etc. being a progression in the story after ROTJ. It just has a retcon feel to it.
I really would like to read Lucas’s story treatment for “his” new trilogy that he sold to Disney. I’m guessing that’s locked up. Maybe Lucas told some friends who will share it down the road.