Maybe I'm in the inority here, but I really don't want stand alone movies that tell a characters background. I fee we're walking in to a bit of trap with this one (wheres Ackbar when you need him?)
Hollywood seems to be in this preqel kick, and I don't know where or why everyone is hangng thier hats onbackstories,but somewhere someone is going to figure out that it takes away from the suspense of the movie. If we get any stand alones, I want it wth figures aht are developing the story, not retelling it.
I think you'll see all the hype for EP VII becasue we al wantto know whats going to happen AFTER ROTJ not before it.
I think this is why we all go to see SW prequels and LOTR prequels, bu come out wiht a half empt feeling... nomatter HOW god the films actuall are.
Suspese, anticipation, shock, wonder...all this, while not entirely being taenaway, is somewhat diminished, so you're setting the bar for the fans a little lower right from the start.
New stuff new stories, lets move frward not backwards.