More often that not, reshoots tend to be a necessary component of big-budget filmmaking and at least in recent years, you’ll struggle to find a studio movie that breezed through its post-production without having to be brought back before the cameras. Over the summer months, though, a string of reports began to surface from Disney’s Rogue One: A Star Wars Story that suggested online speculation was more than just a storm in a teacup.
It all started with a report claiming the Mouse House was unhappy with the first cut of Rogue One, before it was revealed that writer-director Tony Gilroy was being brought on board to steady the ship. Upwards of 40 percent of Gareth Edwards’ pic was going to be overhauled, according to one claim, though in saying that the director was quick to play down those allegations, stating in no uncertain terms that the Rogue One reshoots were “always part of the plan.”
That may well be the case, but The Hollywood Reporter alleges that Tony Gilroy’s contribution was much bigger than first anticipated, meaning the filmmaker will now collect $5 million for not only directing the reshoots, but also ironing out several notable issues that included the film’s finale. At first, Gilroy was set to receive $200,000 a week for his involvement – a standard fee, according to THR – but as the months wore on, he became an active part of Rogue One‘s post-production opposite Gareth Edwards, leaving Disney to foot the bill.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story checks into theaters on December 16 – just don’t expect a sequel, as it already exists in the form of Star Wars: A New Hope.