1) That would be nice.
2) Better music is a must. Current title piece sounds like a sound check (though that makes sense for EA).
3-6) I think you're far too invested in the actual content of the original games, rather than their tone and feel. This is set 100ish years later. It wouldn't make sense for old characters to still be around. Elminster and Drizzt would make sense for cameos (and that's all they had in the original games too). Volo is already in the game.
Larian is establishing a new campaign in the same setting. If they're true to the tone and setting of the original games, it'll feel like a successor sure enough. The Bhaalspawn saga may have ended, but there's still plenty of adventure to be had in the Forgotten Realms.
