The best thing they can do, honestly, is to film it the way the OT was filmed using the best modern technology to do so. The Matrix technology was so amazing when it came out for the 360 degree angles, etc. Imagine what that can do for a model being filmed against a blue/green screen for a space battle.

Drop the CG except to compliment where there is no other alternative.

Do that, and anything Arndt has to deliver will shine in that nostalgic way that the PT never could have.

Abrams is a self-proclaimed SW fan. I expect him to do good things (though, nothing great that is going to push the envelope) because he has respect for the original source material. But I guess these days, going back to physical models for a Sci-Fi movie really is the only way to push the envelope...