I don’t know about studio meddling, but there was definitely meddling with TROS. George Lucas got involved, multiple endings were shot, even internet fan theories were on the table, etc. It sounded like a mess, which is completely antithetical to what we saw in that documentary The Skywalker Legacy released by the studio. Regardless, I’d love to see all that deleted/alternate footage.
IMO, it’s just crazy that JJ’s best film and his worst film ended up being in the same trilogy.
The source for the alternate ending and George Lucas involvement is non other than master Doomcock, the internet’s Galactic overlord…
Wait a sec, are you telling me that you don’t consider “Doomcock” Grade-A journalism?? lol
Apple news published this last week: https://movieweb.com/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-lucas-cut-rumor/