The Greatest Showman - Chapter 783: Crossing the Sea

Filming for Edge of Tomorrow was nearing its end. Though the principal photography had wrapped, there were still minor shots to be completed—a process that would take at least two more weeks. Some of those scenes required returning to the streets of London.

While Heathrow Airport had been filmed in mid-December, the Trafalgar Square sequences had yet to begin. Shooting in an urban environment presented its own set of challenges: road closures, time constraints, and the inevitable crowds of tourists and pedestrians. These factors introduced countless uncertainties, making city filming far more complex than studio work.

Thankfully, the most demanding scenes were already in the can, leaving only a handful of simpler dialogue-driven sequences.

When Andy Rogers arrived in London, the Edge of Tomorrow crew was still shooting at Leavesden Studios. Instead of heading there immediately, he checked into his hotel and got to work.

Awards season typically unfolded in three distinct phases. The first stage, lasting until Christmas, marked the deadline for films to qualify through limited or public screenings. This period saw critics' associations announce their nominations, shaping the landscape for the awards race.

The second phase centered around the Golden Globes, which served as a critical benchmark. With Oscar nominations following shortly after, this was the time when studios and contenders ramped up their public relations efforts, vying for attention. While some critics' groups continued to reveal their winners, the real battle was for Academy recognition.

The final stage, post-Golden Globes, was the most intense. With Oscar nominations locked in, non-nominated films faded from the conversation, leaving only the strongest contenders. This was the true battleground of industry politics and strategic campaigning, where public relations mastery often outweighed raw talent—a game the Weinstein brothers had perfected.

By mid-January 2012, the Golden Globes were set to take place over the weekend, marking the peak of nomination campaigning. Yet, instead of staying in Los Angeles, Andy had flown across the Atlantic to London—a decision that seemed unorthodox but, in his view, entirely necessary.

As a key agent at Creative Artists Agency, Andy managed a select roster of talent, including Harrison Ford, Rose Byrne, Kristen Wiig, Jamie Foxx, and Dane DeHaan. His focus, however, remained on Renly Hall. While CAA clients were handled collaboratively, each artist had a primary representative—and for Renly, that was Andy.

With both Kristen and Renly nominated for Golden Globes, Andy had been deeply involved in awards season maneuvering. Kristen's breakthrough with Bridesmaids had generated Oscar buzz, though Andy remained skeptical. Comedy had always struggled for Academy recognition—even Jim Carrey had been snubbed despite stellar performances. With this year's acting categories fiercely competitive and lacking a clear frontrunner, the odds were stacked against comedy even more than usual.

The same applied to 50/50. Despite Renly's compelling performance, its genre made an Oscar nomination unlikely. In contrast, Like Crazy had a better shot, though still not a guaranteed one.

Having orchestrated the bulk of the awards campaign from Los Angeles, Andy decided to delegate the remaining efforts to his CAA colleagues and personally oversee matters in London.

After three hectic days, Andy finally made his way to Leavesden Studios. He waited patiently for two hours as the crew wrapped up for the day. When Renly finally emerged, he was surrounded by cast and crew, their laughter echoing through the set.

Andy found himself momentarily taken aback.

"Are they always like this?" he asked, almost not recognizing the carefree, smiling Renly before him.

It reminded him of their second meeting—Renly in casual sportswear, skateboard in hand, competing in an amateur event. His skills had been average, but his enthusiasm had been infectious. Gone was the poised gentleman; in his place was a young man relishing freedom.

Perhaps, Andy mused, this version of Renly wasn't so unfamiliar after all.

Nathan and Roy, standing nearby, exchanged knowing glances. They had grown used to this contrast in Renly's demeanor. Nathan chuckled. "You get used to it."

Just then, Renly approached with Paul Walker and Rami Malek. "Hey, Andy," he greeted casually before turning back to his conversation with Rami, completely unfazed by Andy's unexpected presence.

Andy, used to controlling conversations, found himself momentarily off balance. With an amused sigh, he finally spoke. "I'm not here for a casual visit."

Paul and Rami exchanged glances, sensing Andy's urgency. Rami nodded. "See you at dinner later?" Then, glancing at Andy, he added, "Must be serious if it can't even wait until after dinner."

Renly, of course, knew Andy wouldn't have traveled all the way to Leavesden for something trivial. "What's so urgent?"

"I need to get back to London before dinner," Andy explained. "There's a West End play tonight at 9:30. I already have the tickets."

Renly's eyes lit up. "A new production?"

Nathan sighed. "Andy's point is that time is tight, not the play itself."

Renly shrugged. "Who's to say the play isn't the point?"

Andy smirked. "Want to guess how the play ties into what I'm about to say next?"

Renly didn't bite. Instead, he simply walked into his dressing room. "You're the manager, not me. Roy, any hints?"

Roy and Andy exchanged amused glances before following him inside.

Andy took a brief look around. The space was simple yet comfortable, furnished in neutral tones—light gray, off-white, and dark blue. A stack of novels sat nearby, mostly detective fiction rather than anything overly intellectual. It was clear Renly had made himself at home.

Sinking into the linen-covered couch, Andy remarked, "If the Hollywood Foreign Press knew you skipped the Golden Globes to vacation here, they wouldn't be thrilled."

Renly, now dressed in casual sportswear, stretched as he replied, "I'm sure the ceremony will be star-studded enough without me."

The Golden Globe nominations had placed Renly in the spotlight alongside George Clooney and Ryan Gosling. Invitations had arrived promptly, but Andy had quickly informed the Hollywood Foreign Press Association that Renly would be absent. The reasoning was simple: Edge of Tomorrow's production schedule made travel impractical. With the Berlin Film Festival, the Grammys, the Oscars, and countless PR events looming, he needed to complete filming as soon as possible.

Even the press tour for 50/50 had been squeezed into a mere three days. Missing the first two phases of Oscar campaigning had been a deliberate choice, ensuring Renly remained consistent in his absence. Selective attendance could easily alienate voters.

Fortunately, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association had understood. After all, the Golden Globes never lacked star power.

Andy leaned forward. "Let's get down to business. We need to talk about London."

Renly grinned. "I thought that's why you bought the theater tickets."

Andy laughed. "Smart as always."