Rogue One writer Tony Gilroy finally speaks about Star Wars spin-off: 'It was a mess'

'All the mess was actually very, very simple to solve'

Throughout the production of Rogue One, rumours swelled that Disney were increasingly unhappy with director Gareth Edwards’ output.

Many reports claimed that credited writer Tony Gilroy actually acted as a ‘ghost director’, having helmed the many reshoots that would eventually change the blockbuster’s ending.

While Gilroy has previously remained tight-lipped about the project, the Michael Clayton director (and writer of the firth four Bourne films) opened up about the experience.

“I came in after the director’s cut,” Gilroy said on The Moment with Brian Koppelman podcast. “I have a screenplay credit in the arbitration that was easily won.”

“It was just a mess and fear that they gotten themselves in,” he continued. “And because it wasn’t really my movie for a while, I slept every night.

“Like for my own movie, I wouldn’t sleep, but because it was somebody else’s – but at a certain point, everyone’s looking at you.”

Speaking further, Gilroy said that “all the mess” was actually “very, very simple to solve,” explaining: “You sort of go, ‘This is a movie where, folks, just look. Everyone is going to die.’ So it’s a movie about sacrifice.”

The writer/director also spoke about taking on future Star Wars movies, saying the franchise was of no interest: “It doesn’t appeal to me, but I don’t think Rogue really is a Star Wars movie in many ways. To me, it’s a Battle of Britain movie.”

Speaking to The Independent previously about Rogue One, Gilroy’s brother John Gilroy, who acted as editor on the movie, said of the reshoots: Sometimes on these very big features, there’s a lot at stake. And when there’s a lot at stake, you need to get it right.

“Filmmakers need to feel they’re getting it right. So, people sometimes change their mind. People add different ideas and I guess you can say that about both these films.” Read the full interview here.