What, exactly, will be going on between December and May? By most accounts, the film was on track to be done by December, it will be pretty much done by December, but it's not going to be released until May.
Will they use the extra five months to polish the film? It's possible, but there's some things standing in the way.
* The production was budgeted assuming a December release, and JJ has undoubtedly been spending money so that it'll run out in December. When the money runs out, post-production stops. Can they rekajigger the budget now to spread post-production out over January through April? They'd be spread pretty thin, but they might be able to benefit from more time for discussion and decision-making.
* The contracts signed for personnel and facilities assumed a December release. If post-production extends into 2009, they may well lose some of these things. Their visual effects team might be scheduled to start work on some other movie, meaning there'd be a last-minute change in VFX artists. They might lose their spot at the recording studio, or their preferred orchestra. Actors might not be able to return for ADR.
On the other hand, they might just finish the film and lock it up somewhere. There's a few issues with that, too.
* Ninjas will try to steal it and post a torrent.
And finally, there's the issue of what the licensees are going to be doing.
* Computer games are typically rushed, so if the budget and other constraints allow, they can use this extra time to implement new features or at least quash bugs. It would be nice to get a game that's playable out-of-the-box.
* Someone at Pocket Books and whoever owns the comic license now (seems to change every year) will have to sit on the story for a few more months. Hopefully, they can use this extra time to bring their adaptations into closer accord with the final film.
* Playmates might just release some of their toys for Christmas. Expect to see minor characters elevated to legendary chase figure status, like Boba Fett of old. They could use the extra time to fine-tune their molds, paint jobs, and packaging--again, if the budget allows.
The extra four and a half months gives everyone plenty of time to polish things and make every part of the film and merchandising finished and coherent. But, will they actually make use of them?
Will they use the extra five months to polish the film? It's possible, but there's some things standing in the way.
* The production was budgeted assuming a December release, and JJ has undoubtedly been spending money so that it'll run out in December. When the money runs out, post-production stops. Can they rekajigger the budget now to spread post-production out over January through April? They'd be spread pretty thin, but they might be able to benefit from more time for discussion and decision-making.
* The contracts signed for personnel and facilities assumed a December release. If post-production extends into 2009, they may well lose some of these things. Their visual effects team might be scheduled to start work on some other movie, meaning there'd be a last-minute change in VFX artists. They might lose their spot at the recording studio, or their preferred orchestra. Actors might not be able to return for ADR.
On the other hand, they might just finish the film and lock it up somewhere. There's a few issues with that, too.
* Ninjas will try to steal it and post a torrent.
And finally, there's the issue of what the licensees are going to be doing.
* Computer games are typically rushed, so if the budget and other constraints allow, they can use this extra time to implement new features or at least quash bugs. It would be nice to get a game that's playable out-of-the-box.
* Someone at Pocket Books and whoever owns the comic license now (seems to change every year) will have to sit on the story for a few more months. Hopefully, they can use this extra time to bring their adaptations into closer accord with the final film.
* Playmates might just release some of their toys for Christmas. Expect to see minor characters elevated to legendary chase figure status, like Boba Fett of old. They could use the extra time to fine-tune their molds, paint jobs, and packaging--again, if the budget allows.
The extra four and a half months gives everyone plenty of time to polish things and make every part of the film and merchandising finished and coherent. But, will they actually make use of them?
