Every big blockbuster goes through reshoots; it's a common occurrence. But when rumors start floating around that "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" is undergoing massive reshoots - one source says up to 40 percent of the film - and the studio is bringing in another director to help oversee the production, well, then you begin to worry.
Making Star Wars, which has built up an impressive track record of "Star Wars" accuracy over the years, reports that an unnamed source has confirmed that 40 percent of the film will be reshot. The crew is said to be working six-day weeks over the next two months. Or greater note is the rumor that recent "Rogue One" script collaborator and "Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol" director Christopher McQuarrie is being brought on to "help" director Gareth Edwards oversee these reshoots.
It's never a good sign when a studio feels the need to bring in another director for reshoots. Ever.
Then again, it is possible that Disney and Lucasfilm are merely trying to refine their product and sand out some rough edges in an otherwise solid offering. After all, the first teaser trailer looked fantastic. Is this just hopeful optimism? Maybe.
It's also possible that Disney and Lucasfilm have lost all perspective following the massive success of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." The $2.2 billion box office blockbuster was the first saga entry in 30 years and featured the return of iconic and beloved characters. The film's success was practically pre-ordained. But "Rogue One" is a standalone that doesn't focus on any of the Skywalkers or Solos. It would be short-sighted to expect the film to post the same type of box office numbers as "The Force Awakens." Let's hope the studio realizes that and isn't trying to make gold out of medal.
Whatever the reason for these massive reshoots, fans should be worried. We know going back to the drawing board can help turn a bad movie into something...less bad ("World War Z"). But we also know some projects are beyond redemption when it comes to reshoots ("Fantastic Four"). Hopefully, "Rogue One" is the intriguing, grounded sci-fi movie we were all sold on just a few short months ago.
"Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" will arrive in theaters on Dec. 16.
