The Greatest Showman#642 - It's not hard to choose
This was true for Jack Reacher, Oblivion, and Edge of Tomorrow. Cruise embodies the role of a true top-tier producer, a stark contrast to Vin Diesel's relatively limited production influence in Fast and the Furious.
In other words, without Tom Cruise, Edge of Tomorrow as it was known in the previous timeline would not exist. Success or failure, everything hinged on him. This paradox is commonplace in Hollywood. Just as Shadow was shaped by its lead actor, Edge of Tomorrow was unmistakably Cruise's project.
A Different Path Forward
But what happens now? Can Edge of Tomorrow be produced without Tom Cruise? Removing him from the equation alters every aspect of the film—screenwriting, production, cinematography, art direction—all of it must be restructured. Without a marquee name, would the director still be willing to take on the project? Would they even consider an unknown like Renly?
Furthermore, without Cruise's presence, the supporting cast would inevitably change. Could the film still win over critics? Would Warner Bros. adjust its investment and marketing budget? Could Edge of Tomorrow exceed its previous box office performance?
The Decision
Renly sat in silence, lost in thought, the script resting in his hands. For ten minutes, he remained still, deep in contemplation, prompting Andy and Roy to exchange concerned glances. Finally, Andy broke the silence.
"Renly?"
Startled, Renly looked up, slowly returning from his thoughts.
"It's late," Andy said. "You just got back from vacation. Get some rest. Read through the scripts, and we'll discuss them later."
Andy began gathering his things, but Renly's voice stopped him.
"Aren't we pressed for time?" Renly asked with a confident smile. "Otherwise, you wouldn't have rushed over the moment I got back."
A glint of amusement flickered in Andy's eyes. "Even if we are in a hurry, a few days won't make a difference. This isn't the stock market."
Time was, indeed, critical. Universal Pictures was making moves, and Andy aimed to leverage the Toronto Film Festival and the upcoming release of Like Crazy to gain an advantage. However, Renly needed time to fully absorb the material, so Andy had handed him the scripts as soon as possible.
"But if I decide quickly, I can start preparing sooner," Renly countered. "That can only be a good thing."
Andy studied Renly, trying to decipher his thoughts. "So, you want me to reach out to the Edge of Tomorrow team? Tim Lewis or someone else?"
Renly nodded decisively. "Yes."
Andy masked his surprise with a habitual smile but soon let it show. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure."
Without hesitation, Renly met Andy's gaze. "I'll read both scripts thoroughly. Even if I don't audition, I'll read them. That way, if I make the wrong choice, I can always bomb the audition and express my regrets that way."
Andy chuckled. "I meant, are you certain there are no better options?"
Renly addressed the unspoken question directly. "I've read all the previous scripts. I have no interest in Quentin's project. As for 21 Jump Street and Looper, both were worth considering. But 21 Jump Street is no longer an option. As for Looper…"
Renly paused, choosing his words carefully. "I haven't read Edge of Tomorrow yet, so I can't compare them directly. However, both projects fall under a similar genre, so either choice would be reasonable. That said, if the Edge of Tomorrow script turns out to be awful, I'll stick with Looper. Or maybe even Shadow as a backup."
Andy laughed, sensing Renly's lack of enthusiasm for Shadow. Still, he couldn't completely discard it. Among all the projects, Shadow had the highest chance of success. However, was Renly the right fit for the role?
"Alright. I'll get in touch with the Edge of Tomorrow team," Andy conceded. "But read the script first."
With that, the meeting wrapped up, but Renly didn't turn in for the night. Instead, he started reading Edge of Tomorrow.
The Appeal of Sci-Fi
Science fiction is a genre worth exploring. From Alien to The Martian, Moon to Gravity, sci-fi films continue to captivate audiences. The genre provides a vast canvas for storytelling, allowing actors to immerse themselves in worlds filled with unknowns, mysteries, and scientific wonders.
Personally, Renly had always been drawn to sci-fi. The challenge of stepping into these expansive narratives was exhilarating. Whether dealing with space, time travel, or alternate dimensions, the opportunities were endless.
More importantly, Edge of Tomorrow was a film he genuinely enjoyed.
Among similar films, Source Code, Looper, and Edge of Tomorrow all had their strengths. While Looper had the highest critical score (84), Source Code (74) and Edge of Tomorrow (71) weren't far behind. However, none were massive box office hits. Even so, Edge of Tomorrow grossed $370 million globally, easily outpacing its competitors—though Cruise's star power played a significant role in that.
For Renly, Edge of Tomorrow was the clear favorite.
As a popcorn action film, Edge of Tomorrow balanced character development, plot progression, and engaging subplots. It wasn't just entertaining—it was immersive.
Additionally, Cruise's portrayal of William Cage was a textbook performance, following his familiar action-hero mold. Some of his scenes even felt stiff and awkward.
But what if Renly played the role instead? Without the constraints of being a vehicle for Cruise, could the script be tweaked to add more depth, more camaraderie, and more nuanced storytelling?
Comparing Edge of Tomorrow to Looper and Fast & Furious 6, Renly still preferred the former. The opportunity was in front of him, and he had no intention of letting it slip away.
Without Cruise, Edge of Tomorrow might turn into an entirely different film. Without Cruise, it could be a risky gamble. But Renly had never been one to back down from a challenge.
First step: Read the script. The original script. The one unshaped by Cruise's influence.