Krakatoa said:

Normally the heroes/villains authors come up with just aren't strong enough to stand up on their own for a full-length story (actually a reason why I like the cartoons usually - they can make cool-looking characters while focusing on a short, self-contained story).

I think short, self-contained stories, would be the best way the EU could proceed. Not 19 novel epics that redefine the fictional universe. just adventures, that may connect, but each work should be mainly independent, with a climax all its own (you know... like the movies had!)