Reports are coming out of the LucasFilm camp that director Gareth Edwards’ spinoff Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is “less than extraordinary.” Now, extensive and very expensive reshoots are demanded, and will take place throughout the summer.
The initial report came from Page Six, who claim that Disney’s top brass are not satisfied with the first cut of Rogue One recently turned in by Gareth Edwards. The movie is arriving on December 16, with Disney already releasing the first teaser trailer. Here’s what one unidentified Hollywood insider had to say about the so-called doomed production.
“The execs at Disney are not happy with the movie, and ‘Rogue One’ will have to go back into four weeks of expensive reshoots in July.”
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the reshoots are definitely happening. However, the reason is much more specific. “The move is happening after execs screened the movie and felt it was tonally off with what a ‘classic’ Star Wars movie should feel like,” the article says. “The goal of the reshoots will be to lighten the mood, bring some levity into the story and restore a sense of fun to the adventure.”
In addition, the report says “that while [director Gareth] Edwards’ first cut was a solid showing, it didn’t measure up to the bar set in terms of four-quadrant appeal. ‘Anything less than extraordinary won’t do,’ says a studio insider.”
Deadline also has a report with a similar theme. “According to sources, the first cut was lacking the edge that Force Awakens had, and the story needs to jell. The film’s December 16 release date will not be affected.”
It certainly sounds like, while Rogue One may not exactly be “in crisis,” the Post wasn’t inaccurate in reporting the film has issues. Which it should. If the movie was ready in May, they would’ve scheduled it for summer. It’s being released in December to give the filmmakers time to get it right. A rough cut this early, warts and all, means Edwards is working hard. If the tone of Edwards’ film didn’t match what Star Wars is all about, that most likely means there’s a problem that needs fixing. And now they can fix it.
Fans were happy with the teaser trailer that dropped in early April. The movie stars an impressive ensemble line-up that is lead by Felicity Jones, Mads Mikkelsen, Ben Mendelsohn, Forest Whitaker and Diego Luna. The first ever big screen spinoff of the Star Wars franchise, Rogue One‘s the story takes place between the events seen in Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. A group of Rebel fighters embark on a daring missing to infiltrate the Imperial Army and steal the plans to the dreaded Death Star before it can become a fully activated killing machine.
It is noted that Disney usually sets aside time for reshoots and additional shooting, along with time for extra second unit work needed to make the film the best it can be. The actors are aware of any additional shooting well in advance. But coming off of the home run that was The Force Awakens, Disney now has the bar set very high. And they have a ‘responsibility to the franchise’ and fans to deliver the ‘best possible movie’ the studio can.