^ lol

My preference would be to start the new trilogy in total peace. The Empire was long ago defeated etc... end of crawl. Then pandown to to ship being shot to pieces with Captain shouting they've got to warn the Republic. Ship explodes cut to the old gang and new kids unaware of the mysterious impending doom.

^ Many have already put forth this idea and it's still my favourite.

However the OT started in the middle of war which worked while the PT started in the middle of a confusing and uneasy peace/war/treaty/trade dispute thingy... which did not work. So I feel starting with the Empire remnants would engender too much backstory explaining exactly what has happened in the 20 years, leading to the same problems.

Either start in the middle of a war with new enemies or start in peacetime with war imminent. Requires no explanation, straight to the action!