Disney orders reshoots for troubled Star Wars spin-off Rogue One

Star Wars spin-off movie Rogue One could be in trouble after it was revealed that producers will be going back to reshoot scenes from the film.

According to Page Six, Disney bosses were not pleased with the first cut of Rogue One, directed by Godzilla (2014) film-maker Gareth Edwards, and has ordered an "expensive reshoot" in an attempt to make it better.

"The execs at Disney are not happy with the movie, and Rogue One will have to go back into four weeks of expensive reshoots in July," a source told Page Six.

"Rogue One has fallen short of what JJ Abrams did with Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens. So Disney has ordered reshoots."

The source also added that "Disney won't take a back seat, and is demanding changes, as the movie isn't testing well."

The movie, which stars Felicity Jones, Mads Mikkelsen, Ben Mendelsohn, Forest Whitaker and Diego Luna, is scheduled for release in December. There have been no reports that the reshoot affects the current movie's release date.

"The film-making 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," a source at Disney explained.

"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."

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, is the first spin-off movie in the Star Wars franchise and comes after last year's highly successful Star Wars: The Force Awakens, directed by Abrams.

News of the reshoot has struck fear into the heart of Star Wars fans. Many have voiced their concerns on Twitter.

I hope it's the case that Rogue One is bad and the reshoots will fix it rather than it being fine now really but not for the studio

— 🔮Esoteric Jeff (@unluckynumber11) May 31, 2016

If the thing about reshoots and poor test screenings for Rogue One is true.. i'll be deeply saddened.. please do this one prequel right

— Kieran Battams (@KieranBattams) May 31, 2016

Others feel Rogue One will turn out okay, despite the troubling news.

sorry folks, ROGUE ONE reshoots are to include HAN SOLO scenes as previously reported.. there's no panicking going on

— Christopher Marc (@_ChristopherM) May 31, 2016

This new spin-off will take place between the events of Episode 3 and 4 and follows a group of resistance fighters whose mission is to steal the plans for the Death Star.

It is believed that Darth Vader may make an appearance as the Emperor's chief enforcer and that the young Han Solo will possibly have a cameo in the film.

Page Six revealed last month that actor Alden Ehrenreich had been selected to take on the role of young Han Solo. The character was made famous by Harrison Ford in the original Star Wars trilogy.

- nzherald.co.nz