A lot of conversation has kicked up lately regarding the reshoots that Disney has ordered on Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. But nothing will prepare you for how much of Gareth Edwards' spin-off story looks to be reshot, and the lengths that are being taken to complete them. If the latest word is true, it looks like 40% of the film is being overhauled for the final cut.
The news comes from Making Star Wars, as the publication has reached out to trusted sources surrounding Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and a lot of information has come to light in terms of what the planned reshoots will bring to the table. In addition to 40% of the film being reshot, the crew is said to be working six day weeks for the next eight weeks of production. Also, these reshoots will extensively involve recent collaborator Christopher McQuarrie, as he is the final writer to have handed in a rewrite. His rewrite just happens to be one that the studio is absolutely in love with, and as a result they want to see the final film reflect that script as much as possible.
Before you assume that the studio absolutely hated Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, as some would have you believe after those initial reports leaked out, the information seems to be painting the picture of a studio trying to refine their product, rather than disown it. With a franchise like Star Wars on the line, it's not a surprise that Disney would want to retool everything as best as they can, in order to keep the fans, both old and new, entertained after delivering the wildly successful Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Considering McQuarrie's rewrite wasn't completed before filming, and the studio holding that draft in higher regard than the one that went into production, the extent of the reshoots are to smooth out the edges between the original cut's tone and the revised product.
Of course, the fact that all of these particular details making their way into the public consciousness has to be raising questions left and right about how much of a compromised product Rogue One: A Star Wars Story will be. No matter the intent, 40% seems like a rather high percentage of a film to reshoot, with only a half of a year to go before release. Still, with Christopher McQuarrie being behind the script that's apparently catching fire with the powers that be, we're now eager to see just what the man who helped bring us Edge Of Tomorrow and Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation has up his sleeve in that galaxy far, far away.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is still standing strong with a December 16th release date.
