The Trek fanbase has no idea what it wants. When DS9 came out, people complained because it was a Babylon 5 clone; When Voyager came out, people complained because it was like a rehash of TNG, but with a captain they didn't like; When Enterprise came out, people complained that it had too much fanservice and also that it was again a rehash of TNG.

Enterprise was a wonderful show, but it was cancelled after 4 seasons for low ratings.

Trek needed change. It needed something new to attract new fans, and JJ Abrams did that with flying colors. No matter what anyone did in making the next Trek movie, a ton of people would bitch and moan, because the Trek fans are too divided on what the heck they think makes Trek good.

Case in point: I've read on many a site how a lot of people are in love with the idea of Khan Noonien-Singh (from Star Trek II) being in a new Trek movie. But you mark my words, if he is, then a crap ton of fans will call the movie an unoriginal rehash, while others bitch about how Ricardo Montalban was way better.

Star Wars is the polar opposite. Star Wars VII isn't being made for new fans, so much as it's being made for old fans who want a reason to love their favorite franchise again. In fact, JJ Abrams is a fan of the OT, so I don't see that he would be nearly as bad a choice as having George Lucas.