The Greatest Showman #693 - Everything Is Fine

Michael Fordry was livid. He didn't erupt into a fit of rage, nor did he shout or lose control. He simply sat quietly behind his desk, but his expression was so grim it seemed to drip with water. His grip on the pen in his right hand tightened, the knuckles turning white as he pressed down hard. The low, suffocating air seemed to hang over the office like a storm cloud, thick with tension. The restlessness of the moment, a sense of unease and agitation, was palpable beneath the surface, giving off an almost menacing vibe.

Neil H. Moretz, on the other hand, remained calm, watching Michael with a mixture of curiosity and detached interest. Nearby, Vin Diesel was visibly distressed, his panic rising. The tension in the room was stifling. It was as though the atmosphere itself was filled with suffocating dread, a silent, simmering anger ready to boil over.

Neil, though outwardly composed, couldn't help but feel a small, almost guilty satisfaction. This outcome had been predictable. He had warned Michael, warned Fan, warned the other producers. He'd even tried to caution Ron May Yay, but no one had listened.

Renly's career had been a steady climb, each step building on the last. After rejecting Thor and starring in Buried Alive, Fast & Furious 5, and diving into Crazy Love, it was clear Renly was not the typical Hollywood actor—nor the typical British actor. And then there was Andy Rogers and the Creative Artist Agency backing him—an undeniable force in the industry.

As soon as the news broke about Killing Reincarnation, rumors spread fast. A $10 million salary and 5% box office dividends. This deal placed Renly at the level of a top-tier actor. His salary was comparable to Robert Downey Jr.'s for Iron Man 2, yet Renly's deal had no precedent. It was an astonishing leap for an actor still early in his Hollywood career, starring in his first commercial film.

Comparing Renly's deal with those of Hollywood's biggest stars made the situation even more striking. Chris Evans earned $300,000 for Captain America, Gal Gadot for Wonder Woman, and even Chris Hemsworth only received $150,000 for Thor. Robert Downey Jr.'s contracts followed a similarly steep progression, from $500,000 for the first Iron Man to $40 million for the third installment.

Objectively, an $8 million salary for Renly to star in Killing Reincarnation was the norm. But Warner Bros. had gone further—$10 million plus 5% of the box office. That was more than generous; it rivaled the biggest names in Hollywood.

And then the whispers grew louder. How had this information leaked so easily? Many believed it was a tactic by the Creative Artist Agency to leverage negotiations and secure more benefits for Renly. But when Warner Bros. confirmed the deal, the industry was stunned.

There was no producer in charge of the budget for Killing Reincarnation—at least, not the traditional kind. Tim Lewis handled production, but the key negotiators were Andy and Jeff, who bypassed the usual channels. Renly's internal leverage from Universal Pictures, his success in Furious 5 and Crazy Love, and Buried Alive's massive profits all played a role in ensuring the success of these talks.

What happened next was a game changer. Not only did Renly receive $10 million and box office dividends, but Warner Bros. also gave him the title of Executive Producer. He wasn't just starring in the film—he was involved in its very creation. This was unheard of for an actor so early in his career.

This move sent shockwaves through Hollywood. Warner Bros., known for taking risks with bold decisions, had made an audacious bet on Renly. Just two years into his Hollywood career, Renly was handed an executive producer title for a major commercial film. It was a gamble that could either pay off hugely or backfire, but it showed the studio's immense confidence in him.

Meanwhile, Universal Pictures was under scrutiny for its indecisiveness. The rumors about Fast and Furious and the conflict over Renly's involvement seemed to show a studio without vision, especially compared to the bold moves being made by Warner Bros.

The timing couldn't have been worse for Michael and Fan. The rumors about the crew's internal turmoil were becoming more widespread, and it was clear to everyone that the failed contract renewal with Renly had backfired. Not only had Renly left, but now he was involved with a competing project in an even more prominent role.

Michael could feel the weight of the situation, and with a snap, the pen in his hand broke in two, ink splattering over his palm. Blood mixed with ink as the shards of the pen pierced his skin, but Michael barely reacted. He simply shook his hand, wiped off the ink, and tossed the tissues aside.

"Michael," Fan spoke up, his voice hesitant. "What should we do now?"

Michael shot him a cold look. "Isn't this the result you wanted? You said if Renly stayed, you'd quit. Now that he's gone, you can stay. What should we do? Tell me, what do you think will happen if Paul leaves our series?"

Fan was taken aback, staring at Michael in disbelief. Hadn't they been on the same team? Why was Michael now blaming him? It didn't seem fair. After all, Fan had only wanted to get rid of Renly, not have the situation spiral out of control. If Renly had agreed to a more suitable salary, the sequel could have been a huge success. But instead, things had fallen apart.

"Don't look at me like that," Michael snapped. "Now it's up to Neil."

Neil, while internally simmering with frustration, kept his cool. He knew what needed to be done, though it wasn't ideal. "First of all, we need to control the narrative. No matter what the media asks, we need to stick to Renly's statement. Everything is fine. This is just a peaceful breakup—no conflict. We wish Renly success, and he'll wish us well."

Neil's eyes locked onto Fan, who felt a lump rise in his throat. If he said anything out of line now, the blame for the crew's infighting would fall squarely on his shoulders. It was too risky to say anything that could fuel the fire.

"Secondly," Neil continued, "we need to act fast. Paul's situation is our top priority." He didn't need to say more. Everyone knew what was at stake now.

Fan's chest tightened, and his anger surged. He felt cornered, knowing that Renly had left a mark, and now it was up to them to clean up the mess.