The Greatest Showman #822 - Gathering of 1 Class

Jake Gyllenhaal, the actor who has been a staple in Hollywood for over ten years, may seem incredibly seasoned. However, born in 1980, he, like Renly, is part of Generation Y.

Jack's career trajectory mirrors that of George Clooney. After rising to fame with Brokeback Mountain, works like Zodiac, Source Code, and Nightcrawler earned him significant acclaim. However, commercial films such as Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Love and Other Drugs, and others, met with disappointing reception both critically and financially.

Despite these setbacks, Jack maintains a loyal fanbase, and this year, he was invited to serve as a judge at the Berlin Film Festival.

The red carpet erupted in cheers, as the crowd's roars reverberated like thunder. "Jack! Jack!" The cries surged again, building into an overwhelming wave.

But then, when Jack and Renly were seen together, the cheers reached new heights. The crowd's roar intensified, and the air was alive with energy, like a sonic boom reverberating through the Berlin night.

When Jack emerged from the car, he stood on the red carpet, momentarily lost, looking around—his eyes wide, unsure of which direction to take, as if searching for clarity. His feet remained planted, rooted in place.

After a brief hesitation, Jack moved toward Renly. This simple action caused an uproar among the audience and photographers alike.

While the crowd was frenzied, Renly maintained his usual calm demeanor. He didn't share in the excitement or the need to overreact. The few other judges who had appeared earlier provided a clear example: Asghar Farhadi gave a nod before heading inside, Charlotte Gainsbourg exchanged a few pleasantries before moving on, and François Ozon rushed by without stopping.

Renly had always been fond of François' films, which blended French philosophical depth with British dark humor and a touch of German social realism. But the red carpet wasn't the best place for meaningful conversation, so Renly simply greeted François politely before letting him go.

Renly couldn't help but wonder whether it was their role as judges that required them to be low-key, or if it was simply their nature. Either way, Jack seemed to share the same inclination.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Jack looked at Renly and smiled. "Congratulations on your film's release. I'm looking forward to it."

"Thank you. I look forward to hearing your thoughts," Renly replied courteously.

Jack paused, eyeing Renly for a moment before he hesitated. Then, as if gathering his thoughts, he said, "I think I should head to the back to greet the audience."

Renly nodded, offering his own observation. "It's cooled off tonight, and the crowd has been waiting for hours. It's the least we can do."

Jack seemed taken aback by Renly's response. There was a flicker of surprise in his expression, but after a brief pause, he shifted slightly, then gestured to the fans, smiling. His lips parted as if to speak, but no words came out.

Renly smiled, sensing Jack's hesitance. "You should go greet them. They're calling for you."

Jack glanced at Renly, then at the fans, before his smile broadened. He gave Renly a nod, waved, and then turned to head toward the crowd, his composure regained.

The crowd's energy skyrocketed, with shouts of "Jack!" echoing louder, as Jack waved back at the fans, his presence captivating the audience.

Some have wondered why Jack has never quite cemented his position as a permanent Hollywood A-lister. Despite a similar career trajectory to George Clooney, Jack has always remained somewhat on the periphery. While George Clooney became a staple of Hollywood's elite, Jack has maintained a more low-key existence. His lack of interest in socializing, his slightly offbeat pace, and his reluctance to dive into the typical Hollywood spotlight set him apart.

His filmography includes Prisoners (2013), Nightcrawler (2014), Nocturnal Animals (2016)—roles that could have earned him an Oscar nomination, but in the end, his only nomination still remains for Brokeback Mountain in 2005.

Jack's low-key nature, his shyness, and his somewhat quirky demeanor left a lasting impression on Renly. It's a type Renly is all too familiar with—like George Slender, Tony Kaye, or Rooney Mara. In a way, Renly sees himself in Jack.

As the red carpet event wound down, Renly turned to face the reporters again. After about five minutes, he walked into the main venue, relieved to finally escape the cold and pressure. The experience of standing for nearly forty-five minutes in the chill felt like being submerged in the Arctic Ocean, but he was finally free.

Sammy Gale bounced over excitedly, standing beside Renly. "Renly, there are so many people here! Big names, too!"

Renly glanced at Betty Kaye, standing timidly at a distance. She was hesitant, watching him and Sammy for a cue.

Renly patted Betty on the shoulder. "You can come meet some new friends with me, or stay here and wait. It's up to you."

Sammy, ever the child, scrunched his face. "Your conversations are boring. I'll stay by the side."

Renly smiled and gestured towards the second floor. "If you want, you can sneak upstairs. I heard there's a buffet with desserts and fruits. Just don't forget to come back in time for the movie."

With a grin, Sammy hurried off toward Betty, and the two made their way up the stairs.

The main venue was packed. Andy Rogers had warned Renly that tonight would be filled with important figures, many of whom were pivotal figures in the German film industry, along with those from major film festivals like Cannes and Venice. Renly didn't need to see the guest list to understand the magnitude of the event.

Still, Renly didn't rush to engage with the high-profile guests. Instead, he approached François Ozon, a filmmaker he admired. In this moment, it felt more genuine to connect with someone he respected than to engage in shallow conversations with big names. This was his film's night, and he wanted to start the evening on an authentic note.

After about twenty minutes of conversation with François, Renly moved toward the screening room. The crowd began to gather, and the highlight of the night—Transcendence—was about to begin.