The Greatest Showman #691 – Sudden Change

When people bring up the hottest news of October, almost everyone mentions one name: Renly Hall.

First, Crazy Love made waves at the box office, reviving the romantic drama genre after a ten-year hiatus. Then, a talk-show frenzy erupted, with every major program clamoring to have Renly as a guest, eager for his wit and charm. On top of that, his album Don Quixote—widely hailed as the most listenable album of the millennium—received glowing reviews from critics.

In this lonely, melancholic autumn, Renly had become the most sought-after figure, marking a spectacular breakthrough in his career.

Then came the Fast and Furious spinoff and sequel. Rumors about contract renewals buzzed incessantly, and the media couldn't stop speculating. Twists and turns in the storyline felt like a grand drama unfolding. Despite the swirl of rumors, everyone was certain that Renly's return was a done deal.

If there was any doubt surrounding the rumors, there was none regarding the sequel.

For Universal Pictures, the role of Luke Hobbs had proven to be both popular and indispensable, and Renly's Crazy Love success had further solidified his box office draw. His continued involvement in the franchise would only amplify its power. For Renly, returning to the popular role meant further cementing his status as a major movie star and securing a spot in summer blockbusters, with little standing in the way of his rise to A-list stardom.

It seemed like a win-win for all parties involved—there was no reason for it to fail.

The only question remaining was: how much would Renly's paycheck increase for the sequel? Would the salaries for Vin Diesel and Paul Walker be bumped up as well? Would any new members join the coveted $20 million club? And when would the deal be finalized?

But then, in the fall of 2020, everything changed with a quiet announcement on a seemingly ordinary morning that sent shockwaves through the media.

Warner Bros. officially revealed that Renly Hall had joined a new project, tentatively titled Killing Reincarnation.

At first, it seemed like just another routine piece of news. After all, Renly had been linked to numerous upcoming projects, including Disney's Alien Battlefield. But the involvement of Warner Bros. raised eyebrows. Before this, Renly hadn't been associated with the studio in a significant way, aside from a minor role in Tim Burton's Dark Shadows. And now, here he was, attached to a brand-new film with no prior rumors or teasers.

What was more curious was that the first public confirmation came not from the producers, director, or screenwriter, but from the actor himself—Renly. This was the sort of treatment typically reserved for the likes of Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt.

The media quickly latched onto the story, and soon outlets like US Weekly, Chicago Tribune, New York Post, and Vanity Fair were all reporting on the development, transforming what was once a mundane announcement into a frenzy.

Meanwhile, Vin Diesel was starting his usual morning routine: a simple workout and a quick jog before heading out. But when he opened the door, he was met with a swarm of reporters camped out on his driveway. It wasn't a massive crowd, but it was enough to make him pause.

Someone in the crowd shouted, "Fan!" and just like that, the attention shifted entirely to him. The reporters surged forward, and Fan was surrounded by cameras and microphones. For a moment, he hesitated, unsure whether to retreat inside or face the press.

The tension had been building for days. Michael Furtre and Neil H. Moretz had been at odds over whether Renly should join the Fast and Furious sequel, and now the situation was coming to a head. The stakes were higher than ever, and Fan could feel it—Renly was threatening his established dominance in the franchise.

It was almost absurd. Renly was still a relative newcomer, just a third-tier character, yet he was challenging Fan's position as one of the franchise's key stars. But as the situation unfolded, it became clear that Renly's influence was growing, and Fan was growing desperate to neutralize that threat.

Fan's mind raced with ways to undermine Renly—whether it was minimizing his influence on set or even pushing him out of the franchise entirely. But the timing was precarious. With his relationship with Paul Walker becoming more strained by the day, the situation was only getting more complicated.

Suddenly, the reporters were upon him, asking one question after another:

"Fan, what do you think about Renly joining the new Warner Bros. project?"

"Are talks underway for the Fast and Furious sequel?"

"Do you think Renly will fit into the schedule for the upcoming projects?"

"The crew hasn't signed a contract with Renly yet. Is there something we don't know?"

"Warner Bros. says this new project will revolve around Renly. Does this have anything to do with the recent rumors?"

"Renly and Paul haven't signed their renewal contracts yet. What's the situation?"

"Are you confident Renly will renew his contract for the sequel?"

The barrage of questions was overwhelming, and Fan could barely keep up. His frustration boiled over, and he shouted, "Shut up!"

The sudden outburst silenced the reporters, but the tension remained palpable. Fan furrowed his brow and asked, "What's going on? Renly signed on to a new movie? What does that even mean?"

One reporter, braver than the others, answered, "Warner Bros. has officially signed Renly for a new project. Will this affect his participation in the Fast and Furious sequel?"

The words felt like a knife to Fan's gut. He had heard rumors, but he hadn't taken them seriously. Now, seeing the confirmation of Renly's involvement with Warner Bros., he realized that things were much more complicated than he had imagined.

Was Renly truly positioning himself as a rival? And if so, what did that mean for Fan's own future in the Fast and Furious franchise?

Fan's anger flared. He couldn't help but feel like Renly was mocking him—laughing at his struggles behind his back. Renly had found a way to maneuver himself into the spotlight, and it seemed like Universal Pictures was taking notice. If Neil stoked the flames, the leverage could shift away from Michael, leaving Fan at a disadvantage.

In his frustration, Fan muttered, "He made his choice. I can only wish him good luck."

It wasn't an insult, but it didn't sound like a blessing either. The reporters noticed the venom in his tone, and their curiosity only deepened. Was Fan hinting at something? Was the Fast and Furious sequel in jeopardy for Renly?

Before they could ask any more questions, Fan stormed off, breaking into a jog. The reporters chased after him, but they couldn't keep up, their questions unanswered.

What had just happened? Why was Fan so agitated? And why did this sudden change seem so important?

As the situation unfolded, it was clear: something big was brewing, and the stakes had never been higher.