The Greatest Showman #674 - Industry Leaders

California, the land of dreams, where clear skies, blue waters, and endless horizons await. Anyone who has stood in this place will understand the allure captured in the song "California Gurls" and the undeniable charm of this land.

It's often said that California is not famous because of Hollywood; rather, Hollywood thrives because of California.

Gin, orange juice, coconut trees, towering palms; sunshine, beaches, hot pants, and sun-kissed skin; a wild, enthusiastic, free-spirited carnival—who could resist such bliss?

"Have you seen a potential competitor?" Paul shouted over the surrounding chatter into Renly's ear. In the bustling environment, the volume was just right for the two of them to hear each other, while everyone else was lost in the music.

Renly furrowed his brow in confusion, casting a skeptical glance. Paul continued, "You're competing for the same role." After a pause, he added, "In places like this, where actors from all levels gather—frontline to third-tier—it's the best way to keep reporters in the dark about any deals or negotiations. But it's also the best place for auditions, especially if they're after secrecy. Of course, it's also possible the big shots are just here to enjoy drinks."

What Paul didn't say, but Renly understood, was that such grand parties often hold more than just casual mingling. At a gathering like this, with three or four hundred people attending, it would be easy for two people to slip away unnoticed for half an hour. Countless private corners, including nearby woods, offered perfect spots for "private conversations."

Renly glanced around, his eyes narrowing slightly as they fixed on a small corner. It wasn't the man himself that drew his attention, but the group of four or five gathered around him, engaged in conversation. The man stood out in his beach shorts, a T-shirt, and a light brown straw hat, his sun-kissed skin glowing against the crowd.

Brad Pitt.

At 48, Brad was in the prime of his career. From Babel in 2006 to Burn After Reading, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Inglourious Basterds, and Moneyball, Brad had fully blossomed, and this year's awards season showed his continued rise toward an Oscar.

While everyone admired Leonardo DiCaprio's golden chase, Brad's journey was no less impressive. Especially after The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, a love letter to him written by David Fincher, a film that pinned much of the weight of the work on Brad. He became the frontrunner for an Oscar. However, Mickey Rourke's comeback with The Wrestler and Sean Penn's performance in Milk overshadowed Brad, leaving him to watch Sean take home his second Oscar statuette.

As a result of this fierce competition for the golden man, Brad's commercial film output had slowed in recent years.

While Brad was never a box office giant like Tom Cruise or Will Smith—World War Z being his only North American film to break $200 million—he had still managed a successful career, with films like Ocean's Eleven, Inglourious Basterds, and Moneyball all turning profitable. He had done well commercially, especially compared to his friend George Clooney.

Brad's appearance at Ben Affleck's private party today—was it just a casual gathering? A coincidence? Or was he there for an audition for Edge of Tomorrow?

Renly couldn't forget that Brad had been Doug Liman's first choice for Edge of Tomorrow. They'd previously worked together on Mr. & Mrs. Smith, and recently, the project had been gaining momentum. The increase in auditions and publicity could very well be due to Brad's involvement.

Renly knew that Brad could easily influence Warner Bros. to push the project forward simply by showing interest.

"Jesus." Paul exhaled, following Renly's gaze. He could see the man Renly was focused on. His words spoke volumes, despite their brevity: there was a noticeable gap when comparing Brad to others. If Vin Diesel were in the mix, he would be dwarfed. "Is he your competitor? Or your audition target today?"

Just like Tom Cruise, Brad had become a part-time producer, with significant influence over nearly every aspect of the productions he joined. While Tom preferred commercial films and ran projects according to his own template, Brad leaned toward art films, prioritizing creative ideas from directors and screenwriters and interfering less with the process.

"Well, if I'm not mistaken, he's a competitor," Renly said, just as Paul exhaled sharply. It was evident that Paul wasn't concerned, but Renly's confident response was unmistakable. He chuckled lightly, "Paul, I believe this is not the first time you've seen Brad." No need to make such a big deal about it.

Paul didn't mind; he gave a soft chuckle. "I'm just amazed that when big projects are looking for actors, they always pick Brad. Today's audition is going to be tough."

Paul's tone wasn't questioning; it was more a sign of concern. The confidence behind his words had an edge that caught Renly's attention. "Judging by your tone, it seems you don't think I'll lose, do you?" Renly asked casually, without a hint of tension, continuing the conversation in a relaxed manner.

Paul shook his head firmly. "No, if it were up to me, I'd choose you," he said, shrugging. "You're a fresh talent—Brad's excellent, sure, but the industry needs new faces."

Renly smirked lightly, joking, "Then I'll wait for the day you're in charge." Paul burst out laughing at that.

Without further delay, Renly took a step forward. Paul hesitated briefly, unsure whether to follow, but before he could overthink it, his feet were already moving to match Renly's stride. "Are we going to talk to Brad now? Is this the moment for king to meet king?" Paul asked, amused.

"No," Renly replied. "We're going to talk to the guy standing next to Brad." He gestured with his chin toward the bald man next to Brad, the person Renly considered a key figure in today's audition.

Jeff Robinov—a tall, burly man with Eastern European features—had a demeanor that seemed at odds with his appearance. Dressed in a suit, he looked uncomfortable, yet his presence carried a certain visual weight. Though he wore a friendly smile, his imposing stature gave off an air of authority. He seemed more like a no-nonsense figure than a suave film executive.

In reality, Jeff was a powerful figure at Warner Bros., holding a top position in the film division, just below the CEO, Barry Meyer. Though Jeff's appearance might suggest otherwise, he was a seasoned film industry professional—one with a background in economics and finance, and a passionate film lover. It was this unique combination that had earned him respect.

In his earlier years, Jeff was instrumental in supporting Ben Affleck's projects, including The Town and Argo, even when the Warner Bros. higher-ups were initially skeptical. Jeff also had a hand in Christopher Nolan's rise, supporting him early on and providing him with the creative freedom to develop films like The Dark Knight Trilogy, Inception, and Interstellar.

There was no denying that Jeff's strategic decisions had helped Warner Bros. maintain dominance in Hollywood.

So, while it was possible that Brad and Jeff were simply chatting without any connection to Edge of Tomorrow, Renly suspected that Jeff's decision to invite him to the party was more than just a casual gesture. Jeff had likely orchestrated the gathering to create an opportunity for Renly.

Renly wasn't sure if today's audition was the final one or if more would follow, but one thing was certain: today would not be easy.