The Greatest Showman #999 - Unique Invitation

The light gray clouds hung in layers above, and sparse sunlight filtered through, casting golden lines between the clouds. The weather was changing, but for a moment, it seemed as though time stood still. Renly pulled his trench coat collar tighter, set his feet down on the ground, and took a slow sip of coffee, savoring the brief peace.

"Is your health okay?" Renly asked without hesitation, his knife and fork moving in rhythm as he enjoyed his breakfast with ease.

While it's common for the aristocracy to pay attention to their meals and conversations between courses, modern times had loosened these constraints. Now, the focus was on manners, not necessarily the pauses between bites.

Renly's knife and fork were silent as they met the china plate, and everything was in perfect balance.

"Ah?" Alfonso paused, seemingly lost in thought as he tried to collect his words. He was so focused on how to approach the conversation that Renly's question caught him off guard.

Renly smiled with amusement in his eyes. "I mean, after Friday night's performance, did you catch a cold or feel any discomfort?"

"No, I'm fine." Alfonso waved his hands apologetically, flustered. "I'm fine! I should have thanked you properly for that night—thank you, really."

Renly slowly finished chewing his food, offering a friendly smile. "Why don't you tell me about the film project you're working on? I'm ready to listen."

After a couple of brief meetings, Renly had noticed that Alfonso wasn't particularly social by nature. So, Renly decided to skip the pleasantries and go straight to the point.

Alfonso visibly relaxed. It was clear from his demeanor that Renly's directness had taken the pressure off. He was eager to dive into his project. "Well, I've been working on a project for the past five years. We've overcome most of the technical challenges, but there's still more to tackle before we can start filming. Ideally, we want to shoot in space, and we've spent years working on the technology to capture realistic weightlessness, as well as lighting, reflections, and astronomical phenomena. It's been a long process of trial and error."

The technical jargon flowed as Alfonso continued to explain, his words detailed and esoteric, filled with terms that would likely confuse anyone not familiar with the subject. To Renly, it was comprehensible, though still complex. He didn't participate in the technical discussion but understood the gravity of what Alfonso was saying. The pursuit of realism in weightless environments was groundbreaking.

The brief summary: Capturing the effect of weightlessness accurately, considering light and celestial body movements, was a challenge that could not be solved with computer-generated effects alone. The simulated weightlessness that most space films relied on felt fake and unconvincing. Alfonso's team was pushing the boundaries of technology to make a more authentic portrayal possible.

In the history of cinema, only two films had managed to achieve truly memorable weightless effects: 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) and Apollo 13 (1995). The former used a rotating set to simulate weightlessness, while the latter had NASA's "Vomit Comet" simulate weightlessness in real life. While computer effects had improved, they still couldn't fully replicate the experience of space.

Alfonso's team had spent five years solving this challenge, an achievement that could revolutionize filmmaking—comparable to the breakthroughs made with motion capture or 3D effects.

Realizing he'd just delivered an overwhelming amount of technical detail, Alfonso paused, embarrassed. "Wait, did I ramble too much?"

Renly chuckled, nonplussed. "To sum up: You've been preparing this project for five years, overcoming technical obstacles, and now everything is set to start filming, right?"

Alfonso nodded, grateful for Renly's understanding. "Yes, exactly! But, of course, the script, the performances—there's a lot more to discuss. You'll want to know about that."

Renly leaned forward, intrigued. "Go ahead. Tell me more about the script and the story. What is the project about?"

Alfonso wasted no time. "The story takes place on a space station. A group of astronauts is testing the station when an abandoned satellite is destroyed. The debris spreads like a super-bullet in orbit, causing a chain reaction. The astronauts are caught in the blast, and only two survivors are left, trying to survive in space. That's the premise."

Renly smiled knowingly. "Ah, Gravity."

It wasn't a surprise. Alfonso had dedicated years to this film, and it was clear now why he had approached Renly—he needed an actor who could fully immerse himself in this groundbreaking cinematic experience.

In 2006, Alfonso had poured everything into creating Gravity, a project that became a milestone in film history. The movie was a technical marvel, blending reality with space in ways never before seen on screen. Upon release in 2013, Gravity earned critical acclaim, grossing $720 million worldwide and sweeping the Oscars with seven nominations, including Best Director.

While the film had won over audiences and critics alike, it was the technical achievements—particularly in capturing the weightlessness of space—that truly set it apart. Renly had been skeptical at first, but now it was clear why Alfonso was pursuing him. With the right actor, this technology could truly shine.

Yet Renly had his reservations. He knew that in the original production of Gravity, Sandra Bullock had starred as the lead astronaut—her performance had been integral to the film's success. The question for Renly now was whether he could take on such a role.

After a brief pause, Renly's indifference was evident. In the previous timeline, he knew that Gravity would be a huge success, but the lead was a female character, and Renly wasn't certain how to navigate that dynamic this time around.

As the conversation unfolded, it became clear that this was not just a movie—it was a chance to shape the future of filmmaking. And Renly was standing at the threshold of something monumental.