Director Of ’47 Ronin’ Is Removed From The Editing Room By Universal

47 RONIN is a film that seemed like a brave effort by Universal, but has recently been surrounded by nothing but controversy. The film was originally slated for a release date in November 2012 but was then pushed back to February 2013 and then pushed back again to December 2013. The budget is also reported to have ballooned from $175 million to a whopping $225 million, although Universal deny this claim. Now we receive word that director Carl Rinsch has been removed from the editing room by Universal. The final edit will be overseen by Universal co-chairwoman Donna Langley.

This is to be Rinsch’s first feature length film, so it is surprising that Universal picked someone whose only background was directing shorts to helm a huge 3D epic. Rinsch returned to London earlier this year to oversee reshoots, but word is that Universal wanted to fire him earlier. The only thing preventing that was a Directors Guild of America regulation that makes sure the director of the initial production must be involved in reshoots.

One of the studio’s main concerns was the absence of star Keanu Reeves from the final battle of the film. The rest of the cast is made up of some of Japan’s best actors, but that just isn’t enough to calm Universal’s fears. Reeves has also been given a romantic subplot and some more individual lines to boost his presence in the film, and will now battle a supernatural creature in the climax.

That last bit of news was most disturbing to me. 47 RONIN is based on a true story of a group of samurai seeking revenge for their master’s death. I’ve even been to  Sengakuji temple where the 47 RONIN are buried. There are also many Japanese versions of the classic tale directed by masters of the craft such as Kenji Mizaoguchi, Hiroshi Inagaki, and Kon Ichikawa.

47 RONIN is scheduled for release 25th December 2013. It stars Keanu Reeves, Tadanobu Asano, Rinko Kikuchi, Hiroyuki Sanada, and Togo Igawa.

Source: Collider