Universal Pictures is seizing control of their sci-fi film "47 Ronin" from director Carl Rinsch, after the movie's budget has reached $225 million, according to a report by TheWrap. The studio claims the cost has not topped $175 million.
The film has already been pushed back twice since its initial release date of Nov. 21 2012 was announced. Universal moved the film's release date to Feb. 8, 2013 and then again in August, when "47 Ronin" was shifted to Dec. 25, 2013, a full thirteen months after it was originally set for release.
"47 Ronin" is a fantasy-adventure-action film depicting a fictional account of the forty-seven Ronin, a real-life group of samurai in 18th-century Japan who avenge the murder of their master. Chris Morgan and Hossein Amini of "Fast Five" and "Drive" respectively, wrote the screenplay for the samurai film.
Keanu Reeves stars in the film as Kai, an outcast who joins the group of Samurai on their mission, his character is half-Japanese and half-British. The character is a fictional addition created for the film.
Variety previously reported, "The film will tell a stylized version of the story, mixing fantasy elements of the sort seen in 'The Lord of the Rings' pics, with gritty battle scenes akin to those in films such as 'Gladiator.'"
According to TheWrap, "the troubled 3D megaproduction has been taken over by Universal co-chairwoman Donna Langley, who is now overseeing the editing of the movie instead of the director."
In accordance with Directors Guild of America rules, Rinsch was allowed to film the reshoots but can now be dismissed from the project. The film is Rinsch's feature lengthen debut.
