Last week Star Wars fans around the world were sent into panic mode when reports suggested that massive reshoots were ordered after executives were unhappy with the film. Now Entertainment Weekly has found conflicting information in speaking with sources within Lucasfilm.
According to EW, while reshoots are indeed taking place, they had already been scheduled as part of the process involved with making a film as large as this. They also say that the film is still expected to be done by August. Additionally, they say that what is being added is small insert shots and even laughed at the idea of completely altering battle sequences as some suggested. As one source said, “The changes have everything to do with clarity and character development and all take place [as inserts] within scenes we’ve already shot,” while another added, “If we were rewriting the movie and reshooting 40 percent of movie, we would not be finishing in August… People really would be panicking – and changing the release date.”
Entertainment Weekly does confirm that director Tony Gilroy (Michael Clayton) has been brought in the give notes on the first cut of the film before reshoots begin. In addition to doing some tweaks to the dialogue for the reshoots, Gilroy will apparently assist with directing some second unit footage.
Rogue One will hit theatres this December.