And by giving space in the timeline, possibly even as far as 100 years or 1,000 years in the Star Wars universe future, Lucas avoids having to make these stories “fit in” with what the previous stories have told.

He sure didn't let that stop him last time around.

Also, let's look at this for a second. The prequels were produced over a 9 year period, give or take a little bit. Now if we put that same time frame on a sequel trilogy, if they start production in 2017, then George will be an 82 year old man when the final movie is released in 2026, 49 years after the original was released.

Jesus George, let it go.