Despite reshoots, rumoured production troubles, and an altered ending,
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story triumphed upon its arrival in theatres, due in no small part to the work of its editors. John Gilroy, who is credited as one of
Rogue One's three editors, was brought in well after principal production concluded, and had a hand in crafting the film's explosive third act on the planet Scarif. Gilroy has
previously (and deliberately) remained quiet on how the original story was supposed to play out, a silence he continued to hold in an interview with
i09, though he did open up about his satisfaction with the final product.
“The emotional jump that you’re making was very well thought out,” he said.
“I was very happy with how we moved people first with the poignancy of the death, then the amazing action sequence which you aren’t expecting and then seeing Leia for a moment knowing that, like 20 minutes later, the first movie is going to start. It moves your emotion to a different direction without manipulating you, I don’t think. It really takes you to a great place.”
Gilroy also worked on another blockbuster that released this past summer: David Ayer's
Suicide Squad, which was also well-known to have had a slew of reshoots and re-edits. When asked to compare his experience working on both films, Gilroy admitted he wasn't in favour of all the choices made for
Suicide Squad, but changes happen with almost every film.
“I didn’t agree with everything we did on Suicide Squad, but I did agree with everything we did on Rogue One. These things happen. These movies are very big, there’s a lot riding on them and sometimes it makes people change course or think of a new direction for their film before release.”
What did you think of the work on both films? Let us know in the comments!