A New Favorite in the Market

The North American box office for "Anti-Cancer Me" has exceeded $100 million. While box office experts had predicted this outcome, the reality still caused an involuntary exclamation when it actually happened. This film has become a phenomenon. Lionsgate couldn't contain their joy, and industry insiders were left perplexed—how did this happen?

There are many factors to consider: the endearing subject matter, the solid script, the director's skill, Seth Rogen's involvement, and the holiday season. But when you strip away all the extras, the focus shifts to one key factor—Renly. After the controversy surrounding the premiere and Renly's handling of the situation, his response was what truly impressed.

Renly and Seth joined Ellen DeGeneres on The Ellen Show, where Ellen asked, "There always seems to be controversy around you, but you handle it with such poise—no panic, no arguments. Why is that?"

Renly responded thoughtfully:

"I believe the world is objective, but it is subjective through the eyes of each individual. That means, the way you approach the world shapes how it appears to you. It could be hatred, kindness, joy, or disaster. In my world, controversies don't hold any meaning. They can only hurt if you allow them to."

This mature, wise, and philosophical response earned Renly a standing ovation.

"Anti-Cancer Me" could easily have been seen as a simple comedy, a reflective diary, or a heartwarming holiday movie. However, the controversy and Renly's calm approach only added depth to the film.

This isn't the first time Renly has worked wonders.

Over the past three years, Renly has starred in four films. With the exception of Buried Alive, the other three films have grossed over $100 million in North America. Fast & Furious 5 earned $300 million in North America, but Renly's role as a third supporting character didn't significantly impact the box office. However, Crazy in Love and Anti-Cancer Me have both exceeded expectations. The former had a budget of $250,000, while the latter's budget was just $8 million, yet both films have achieved astronomical box office results. This is the miracle behind the numbers.

Whether it's Crazy in Love or Anti-Cancer Me, Renly plays an undeniably important role. This rising star first proved his acting talent and now demonstrates his marketability. When it comes to charm, Renly has undoubtedly become the biggest discovery in North America in 2011.

For Hollywood studios, Renly's commercial value has skyrocketed, even approaching the level of stars like Robert Downey Jr. and Johnny Depp. The reason? He's affordable!

Discussing this now seems almost ironic.

Not long ago, Renly left the Fast & Furious 6 production to join Edge of Tomorrow. There were rumors about salary negotiations, and ultimately, the numbers couldn't align. Even millions of dollars couldn't convince him. In the end, Warner Bros. generously offered $10 million plus a 5% box-office cut to make Renly the heart of the Edge of Tomorrow project.

The contrast is stark: Universal Pictures, known for being tight-fisted, let Renly go for $8 million, while Warner Bros. secured him for $10 million.

Looking at Renly's earnings this year, his salary from Fast & Furious 5 amounted to 0.5% of the box office, earning him $1.5 million from the film's $300 million. In Crazy in Love, his salary was $20,000 plus 10% of the box office, earning $1.3 million from the $120 million box office. In Anti-Cancer Me, his salary was $800,000 plus a 5% box-office dividend, bringing in $1.3 million from the film's current $100 million North American box office.

Renly's highest salary so far has been just $1.5 million, yet each project has generated several times that in profit. Although Forbes has yet to release its list, Renly is already a frontrunner for the highest return on investment this year, far surpassing top Hollywood stars.

Given this, a $10 million salary—or even $15 million or $18 million—is a bargain for a talent like Renly. So, is Universal Pictures losing money?

After Fast & Furious 5, Renly entered the spotlight of major Hollywood studios, and his name started to appear on casting shortlists for many major projects. However, his influence was still somewhat limited. With the success of Crazy in Love and Anti-Cancer Me, Renly's commercial value has soared, making him one of the hottest new stars in Hollywood.

Even as Renly films Edge of Tomorrow, his future schedule remains uncertain. Meanwhile, in the awards season PR rush, agents like Andy Rogers have become the most sought-after in Hollywood, with constant inquiries about Renly's availability and upcoming projects.

Profit first, entertainment second—this is the essence of Hollywood. For years, being part of the $20 million club was considered a key marker of an actor's status. But it's not just about the club itself; it's about the interests and financial clout that come with it.

And that's where Renly stands now.

Though Anti-Cancer Me's box office momentum slowed after the New Year's surge, it's still performing exceptionally well. Heading into 2012, the box office data showed a modest 42% drop in the first week, a notable slow-down after weeks of rapid growth. Despite this, the film continued to perform well across theaters, reaching a cumulative $176 million in North America.

By the end of its theatrical run, Anti-Cancer Me had earned $176 million, becoming the biggest dark horse success of 2011 and surpassing even Bridesmaids' $169 million. It was the highest-grossing comedy since My Big Fat Greek Wedding in 2002—a similarly underdog film that defied expectations and earned over $240 million in North America.

Now, Anti-Cancer Me has replicated that feat, cementing its place as one of the most unexpected successes in recent film history.