Pro: An two-time Oscar winner for helming "The Incredibles" and "Ratatouille," Bird surprised many when his first live action film, "Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol," won over both audiences and critics alike. That was no easy task considering it was the fourth film in a 15-year-old franchise.  Moreover, Bird has a fantastic eye, knows how to work with CG artists and has a knack for surprising audiences.  After "Protocol," it appears Bird wants to stay in live action.  Bird's Pixar credentials may reassure Lucas and Disney the franchise is in creative and steady hands.

Con: What does Bird really want to do next? His choices have been unpredictable and it's not clear jumping into another franchise - even one with the pop culture clout of "Star Wars" - is what he really wants to do. He's supposed to be shooting the disaster flick "1906" next, but is that film really getting off the ground?

- Gregory Ellwood