Disney Rumored To Be in Crisis Mode For 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story'

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is rumored to be in crisis mode, and has just ordered four weeks of reshooting. According to Page Six, which broke the news of the Han Solo spin-off film casting Alden Ehrenreich, Disney executives were unsatisfied with director Gareth Edwards' (Godzilla) first cut of the film.

Reshooting scenes after the first cut isn't uncommon, but doing so for four weeks is rare and expensive. Page Six received the following information from an unnamed Disney source:

"The filmmaking team and the studio always anticipated additional shooting and second unit work to make the film the absolute best it can be, and the actors were aware there would be additional shooting. Coming off The Force Awakens, there's an incredibly high bar for this movie and we have a responsibility to the franchise and to the fans to deliver the best possible movie we can."

The source also stated that the initial screenings of Rogue One did not do well in testing. The four weeks of reshooting, which are reportedly aimed at bringing the movie to the same standards as The Force Awakens, will be shot in July.

It's possible that this news is less of a jab at the overall quality of the film, and merely creative differences between Disney and director Gareth Edwards. Darth Vader scenes in Rogue One were previously reported as incredibly dark and brutal, which is rare for Disney, as they generate considerable amounts of revenue from toys and merchandise for children. Previous incarnations of Star Wars movies have mostly been tagged with PG ratings, with the exception of Episode III and VII.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is Disney's first Star Wars spinoff film and is scheduled to be released on December 16, 2016.

Synopsis:

Following the foundation of the Galactic Empire, a wayward band of Rebel fighters comes together to carry out a desperate mission: to steal the plans for the Death Star before it can be used to enforce the Emperor's rule.

What do you think of this rumor? Reaction to the first teaser trailer have been generally positive, and Disney has been rock solid with its recent film releases. With a 4-billion-dollar investment on the line, we can be sure that Disney will do everything it can to ensure Star Wars will have a long and storied franchise future.