Maybe but there's a lot of buzz for the movie so I'm not sure that's necessary.

It's an odd report for sure.
[Reply]

Okay, I heard from someone today and this thing is being totally blown out of proportion.

Pickup shots were already scheduled but Disney's biggest issue (not LucasFilm but Disney) was that there's currently not enough Vader.

I think everyone wants to see Vader get as much screen time as possible so this isn't a bad thing but from Disney's perspective, it's all about merch and toys.

The Vader of R1 looks like Rebels and ANH, making it somewhat unique on the market.

Take it FWIW.
[Reply]

Talked to a CAA buddy of mine earlier today. It casually came up because when I read THR story, it screamed of exaggerated gossip.

Rest assured, much more ado about nothing from his gauging of things.

1st. Studios get the dailies, well, daily, unlike earlier days when on-set had the screening room and the studio would pop in or a composition reel was sent back.
So, they've known exactly what's what. Especially Disney, and especially x2 for their first stand alone for the SW franchise.

2nd. The story seems to really pin it on Garreth. Well, studio complaints about the cut would principally fall to with the editor. At the very least, the story would or should mention R1's editor.

My take: Edwards broke traditional SW formula and got some square studio execs expecting another predictable SW story with the same elements, style, yada, yada, and the gossip mill played rumor telephone around town and inflated the situation.

The Vader screen time sounds exactly what Disney would push for because they don't want release press moaning about how he got 6 minutes in the whole movie.

Re-shoots or not, that's no longer really very telling that a film is in trouble and has become more and more a common practice. Both Planet of the Apes did some re-shoots, and we're both strong films, even if the 2nd one didn't meet the 1st one's level.
[Reply]

Heat Vision and Deadline have both incorporated more detail into the original NY Post report. Both confirm that yes, the four weeks of re-shoots are definitely happening but there was no 'test screening' as the original report suggested. The film WAS screened for the studio though.

Their source says:

"The move is happening after execs screened the movie and felt it was tonally off with what a 'classic' Star Wars movie should feel like. The goal of the re-shoots will be to lighten the mood, bring some levity into the story and restore a sense of fun to the adventure".

"This takes place just before A New Hope and leads up to the ten minutes before that classic films begins. You have to match the tone... while [director Gareth] Edwards' first cut was a solid showing, it didn't measure up to the bar set in terms of four-quadrant appeal. Anything less than extraordinary won't do."

-------------

I'm not so sure about "lightening the mood", as this film was expected to be dark and gritty.
[Reply]

So too dark for Disney. I was worried about that.
[Reply]

Rian Johnson's Episode VIII is reportedly much darker than Episode VII so it will be interesting to hear their reaction to its first screening.
[Reply]

Quality aside, The Force Awakens made so much money it's set an impossibility high standard for the films that follow.

This could be a better film, but make less money. Disney obviously wants the magical 'four quadrant appeal' to keep the money train rolling.
[Reply]

"Four-quadrant appeal"

Sounds like a bullshit upper management term, like "Shift the paradigm". If it's good, leave it alone (I know that's too much to ask of Disney, but still....).
[Reply]

Sounds pretty ridiculous
[Reply]

The disconcerting aspect of this information is that apparently, Disney isn't allowing LucasFilm and Gareth Edwards to make the movie they want to make.

I realize that basing an opinion on a two minute trailer might be a little presumptive but IMO, it most certainly had the look and feel of A New Hope and TFA.

It was Classic Star Wars, from my point of view.
[Reply]

It's Disney. A filmmaker should know what they are signing up for

You can stray from the formula, but not too far. Safe and predictable for families = more money

Not that I agree with this, but it is what it is
[Reply]

Disney didn't mess with the crappy Marvel films like Iron Man 2 or Thor 2, yet they're messing with KK.

I don't like it and as a Director, would make me think twice about taking on a future Star Wars film.

Not every film will earn $2 billion at the box office.
[Reply]

I don't think Disney owned Marvel films when IM2 was made?

Thor 2 had a lot of behind the scenes struggles if I remember right?

Whatever the case, your right, it could cause them to lose good talent.
[Reply]

Does every fucking SW outing have to be geared to a 10 year-old?
[Reply]

This is why books have been the better medium for SW since about 1995.
[Reply]