Hollywood: The Greatest Showman

Chapter 45: Grand Introduction

Almost the moment Tom and Steven appeared, the entire venue erupted into excitement, like a pot of boiling water, bubbles bursting one by one. Fans on both sides of the road vigorously waved their posters, screaming and shouting. Reporters on both sides of the red carpet rushed forward, flashlights lit up everywhere, giving people the illusion of imminent blindness.

It wasn't until this moment that the premiere of "The Pacific" truly reached its peak.

Bradley hesitated for a moment, struggled within himself briefly, then gave up his hesitation and followed his colleagues, pushing toward the beginning of the red carpet. Although Renly was worth interviewing, and he had plenty of gimmicks, it was Tom and Steven, hired alongside Renly, who were the real focus. At this moment, everyone else on the scene was temporarily pushed aside. For the reporters, there was no need to struggle with this choice.

Following the surging crowd, Renly looked over and saw Tom and Steven enveloped in a silver light. He could only vaguely make out their silhouettes, unable to see their facial expressions clearly. They adeptly waved to the surrounding crowd, and the excitement of the scene escalated to another level, truly embodying the meaning of "superstars."

Renly couldn't help but smile broadly, exchanging a glance with Rami, as if to say, "Indeed, they are true stars, and their entrance is different."

Rami tiptoed to Renly's ear and shouted, "Next time you attend a premiere, remember to inquire in advance. Don't pick the wrong time." After the dazzling entrance, Tom and Steven followed. Not to mention newcomers, even those A-list stars were overshadowed. Renly's timing for entry couldn't have been worse.

However, Renly, as one of the protagonists, took it all in stride. He lifted his mouth in a slightly upward curve, then shrugged helplessly. Even without saying a word, his innocent and calm demeanor made Rami burst into laughter.

The two industry giants became the center of attention, with spotlights following them everywhere. It gave Renly enough social space. Accompanied by Rami, they greeted their colleagues from "True Blood" and "Band of Brothers" at the theater entrance.

Although this premiere was different from what Renly had imagined, lacking the spotlight, cheers, and enthusiastic reporters' interviews, it felt more like a perfunctory walk down the red carpet, a quick stroll, and then it was over. However, any disappointment lingering in Renly's heart dissipated quickly. Participating in the filming of "The Pacific" was miraculous enough. This was just the beginning, and he shouldn't be too greedy, right?

In the blink of an eye, Renly made quite a few new friends.

"So, how does it feel to see your father fully naked in a movie?" Alexander Skarsg?rd heard Renly's question, paused for a moment, then burst into laughter. His father, Stellan Skarsg?rd, was a renowned actor in Sweden and Europe.

Alexander realized he was being a bit impolite, so he touched his nose, trying to cover his laughter. "My sexual education was watching restricted movies with my father, so when I saw it in the film, it wasn't too surprising."

Compared to American actors, European actors are more liberal and casual about showing their bodies, purely as part of their art. This difference in style is one reason for the stylistic differences in film productions between the two continents.

"I've seen two Lars von Trier films, both starring your dad. So, sorry, I know my behavior just now was a bit rude," Renly politely apologized. Most second or third-generation actors from entertainment families dislike others mentioning their backgrounds. Once they enter the entertainment industry, they're eager to shake off the halo of their family history and carve out their own paths.

Alexander didn't like it when others mentioned his father, but he couldn't help but admit Renly's approach was clever. He didn't feel offended or resistant. "No, no," Alexander shook his head with a smile, "Next time I call my dad, I'll tell him about this. I think he'd be happy to be friends with you."

"Renly? Renly?" Just as Renly was about to respond to Alexander, a sudden call came from behind, which was quite abrupt. This made both of them turn around, only to see the crowd parting to create a passage. They were standing among the actors, chatting. At the end of the passage were Tom and Steven being interviewed by the media.

What's happening?

Renly was puzzled. He apologized to Alexander and then stepped forward. As he passed Rami, he cast a puzzled glance, and Rami responded with a big smile, leading the applause.

Applause? Why applause?

Tom also started clapping, and his voice spread through the speakers, "Ladies and gentlemen, give our boy some encouragement." The applause and whistles in the audience gradually increased, and the flashes from the reporters' cameras instantly lit up. Renly was taken aback. He thought the premiere was coming to an end, but why did it feel like the climax was just beginning?

With countless question marks in his mind, Renly's steps remained steady. Though not fast, there was a calmness about him. Finally, he stopped beside Tom, nodded to Steven beside him, and then noticed James Badge Dale and Jon Seda a step behind. Was this the introduction of the main cast?

"This is Renly Hall, the soul character of the TV series this time," Tom introduced actively. "As everyone knows, Damian Lewis plays the character that runs through 'Band of Brothers'; however, this time it's different. The whole story is divided into three main threads, but the character Renly plays is the core soul of the entire series."

"Swoosh, swoosh," Renly could even hear the air friction. Suddenly, everyone's gaze fell on his shoulders, and the pressure became heavy, as if carrying the weight of a mountain. Even breathing became a bit difficult.

Sensing the touch in his hand, Renly lowered his head and saw a microphone being handed to him. He instinctively took it, surveyed the audience, and the next moment, he went from chatting in the background to becoming the center of attention. He had thought the premiere was almost over, but the sudden turn of events caught him off guard.

"Tom, James, and Jon are watching from behind," Renly said in a serious tone, not deliberately fluctuating his voice but simply reminding everyone. However, everyone quickly caught on, and laughter erupted throughout the venue. Even Steven couldn't help but smile.

Bradley's eyes lit up suddenly. Tom's actions just now indicated many things: not only did they choose a newcomer to play one of the three major roles in "The Pacific," but they were also very satisfied with this newcomer's performance. This signal meant a lot. So, Bradley raised his right hand high, seizing the opportunity and getting the chance to ask a question first.

"Tom, as far as I know, Renly is a complete newcomer and hasn't appeared in any works before this. Why did you choose him to play the core soul of the series?" Bradley emphasized the words "core soul," adding weight to his question. Reporters began to anticipate the answer.

"In fact, there was a disagreement between Steven and me about using Renly. We both know that using a newcomer is a gamble, one that could even lead to complete failure," Tom's words successfully piqued everyone's interest. "But the results have proved that our choice was correct. Renly is a very special actor, and his performance has a certain spirituality that leaves a lasting impression."

"Ahh!" All the reporters exclaimed in awe. Tom's endless praise was crystal clear. The gazes on Renly became complex, mixed with envy, jealousy, as well as criticism and expectations. People are always critical of newcomers, no matter the industry or the circumstances.

"What do you think, Steven?" Tom shifted the question, and the reporters' gazes followed suit.

Steven crossed his arms defensively and swayed his body slightly before speaking. " 'The Pacific' and 'Band of Brothers' are two completely different works, with vastly different requirements for actors. So, we are always very careful in the casting process. Choosing Renly, a newcomer, was a gamble." He paused briefly, and there was a glint hidden behind his eyes. "But, as Tom said, our choice was wise."

Though not a direct praise, Steven's words undoubtedly carried more weight. This immediately sparked discussions among all the reporters.

In the highly anticipated "The Pacific," Renly instantly stood out, becoming the center of attention in the spotlight. However, this was undoubtedly a double-edged sword. The expectations and attention placed on him raised the bar. If the final product fell short, Renly, a newcomer without a foundation, would face ruthless criticism and ridicule from the media. Of course, if successful, the effect would be exponentially greater.

The situation was becoming subtle.

"Renly! Look here! Look here!" Reporters in the audience shouted, quickly capturing this moment. However, whether this was a moment of honor or shame, only the audience could judge.