Look, at the end of the day the story as "reported" was littered with innaccuracies beginning with the fictitious "test screenings" which immediately raised my BS meter. 40% of the film? Keeping the release date. Please. Multiple unnamed executives being involved in Disney's biggest franchise? Laughable.
I guess that's why the story took the internet by storm. I guess not many people have your "incredible" foresight... *that's* laughable. Generally, when a leak like this comes out and makes an impact like it does, it is because there is some truth to it. When someone like EW publishes info from other "insiders," that's almost always damage control.
'Inaccuracies' like your so-called "fictitious "test screenings"" are easily explainable in situations like these. It's known that Disney Execs did screen the movie - not to the public, but for themselves. It could've been a simple misunderstanding or context that led to that "inaccuracy."
40% of the film? 5 weeks or reported reshooting does seem like an unusually long time - I don't know, I don't film movies (a quick search couldn't help me find TFA's reshoot timeline). Knowing the powerhouse behind this movie, there's little doubt in my mind it's possible to do this and keep the release date. But, all that said - I do doubt it's 40% of the film; but, I also feel it's more than Disney would want us to believe.
Bringing in a guy like Simon Crane also sure makes it seem like it's more than " "mostly dialogue and character interactions."
But, that doesn't mean that this isn't a normal part of filmmaking. This kinda stuff happens all the time. It happened with TFA and the prequels (at least I'm fairly certain it did).
Let's also note that a lot of this info didn't come from your "unnamed executives," but from
your favorite source for Star Wars info,
Jason Ward and Making Star Wars, who said: "When I asked a few crew members what was being reshot they laughed and said “everything.” Of course they were kidding but from the sound of it, the shooting will be extensive." (Note: he said crew members, not multiple unnamed executives).