The Greatest Showman #1001 - Twists and Turns

When Renly mentioned the symbolism of women, Alfonso laughed cheerfully. The satisfaction and relief between his eyebrows were impossible to miss—he didn't even try to hide it, his joy and excitement were palpable. He then expressed his feelings freely.

"Renly, I'm serious. You are the perfect person for this movie. I can't think of anyone more suited for it. I haven't even gone into the specifics of the script or the characters, just a few words, and your understanding and interpretation have already aligned with my vision."

Alfonso couldn't contain his excitement. He leaned forward, resting his head in his hands like a child who had just gotten a lollipop. "God, I've finally found you. Please, please, please—make sure you star in this film. All my hopes are riding on you."

Renly blinked, slightly taken aback. Was Alfonso really trying to coerce him into the role?

Renly paused for a moment, watching Alfonso dance around him in excitement. He was about to speak, but found he had no need to defend himself. So instead, he simply let it go. "Then, you should be looking for an actress, right? Why did you come to me in the end?"

At that, Alfonso realized Renly hadn't agreed to the role yet. He quickly reassured himself that he couldn't miss out on this opportunity to work with such a perfect actor.

"Yes, you're right. We had always considered an actress for the part; it seemed like the most logical choice given the visual elements of the film, and the deep meaning conveyed through composition. Women undeniably have an advantage in that regard." Alfonso nodded thoughtfully. "But the issue is, this role is just too difficult to pull off."

"It's no exaggeration to say that every piece of lighting, every special effect, every shot, every element of the production hinges on this one actor. Without a great performance, everything falls apart." Alfonso took a deep breath, considering his words. "This is not just a confined space; all emotions will be amplified to the extreme. Meanwhile, we've stripped away any excess dialogue, leaving us with as little explanation as possible. So, we have to rely heavily on the actor's performance—the camera will capture every minute detail, even a blink of an eye. That's the challenge!"

As a director, Alfonso wasn't necessarily known for his mastery of acting direction, but his strength lay in creating atmosphere, shot composition, and visual storytelling. His exacting standards meant every element—performance included—had to be perfect.

"Making it too obvious or exaggerated would ruin the minimalist nature of the entire film. That's why Hollywood doesn't offer many options."

He continued, "In fact, I've auditioned more than a dozen actors at the recommendation of Warner Bros. Either they weren't interested in the project, thought the script lacked depth, or didn't see its commercial potential. Or, they just didn't impress me with their performances."

"Warner Bros.?" Renly's interest piqued. He knew Gravity had been backed by Warner Bros., but what did they have to do with this conversation?

"Yes," Alfonso nodded, "Warner Bros. actually recommended you early on, and that's when I first heard your name. Afterward, I asked a few colleagues for feedback, but I wanted to see for myself. As you mentioned, we initially considered an actress for the role, but then we shifted our focus to an actor. So, I came to London to meet you in person."

Renly raised an eyebrow, intrigued. Was Edge of Tomorrow being internally screened at Warner Bros. and getting positive reception? It seemed like Alfonso had no prior knowledge of him, which was refreshing—it meant his offer was pure, a genuine recognition of Renly's stage performances at the Almeida Theatre.

"Actresses," Renly said, shifting the subject. "Which actresses did you audition for the role?"

Most directors might have brushed this question off, but Alfonso answered without hesitation. "Angelina Jolie, Rachel Weisz, Carey Mulligan, Marion Cotillard, Scarlett Johansson, Natalie Portman, Felicity Jones, Nicole Kidman, and Julia Roberts…"

Renly's mind quickly made the connection: Gravity was indeed a Warner Bros. project. Each actress on the list was a notable name, though Felicity Jones was somewhat less established at the time, her career only taking off with Like Crazy. Still, the others had strong pedigrees, especially Carey Mulligan, who had received an Oscar nomination for An Education back in 2009.

Alfonso added, "Initially, I thought Natalie Portman was the best fit for the role, but she turned us down." He shrugged, clearly disappointed.

"What about Sandra Bullock?" Renly asked, surprised. He hadn't heard Sandra's name mentioned yet, though he thought she would be a great choice.

Alfonso hesitated, then looked directly at Renly, his expression filled with urgency. "Renly, do you really want to star in this film? If so, please forgive my bluntness." His eyes held a mixture of desperation and sincerity, as though his whole career hinged on Renly's decision.

Renly paused, realizing his earlier comments had likely caused a misunderstanding. He couldn't help but laugh. "I'm sorry..."

Before Renly could clarify, Alfonso quickly interrupted. "Sandra—we asked her. But unfortunately, she had already committed to The Big Dreamer, so her schedule won't allow it."

Renly's mind buzzed with confusion. The Big Dreamer? The film that chronicled the creation of Mary Poppins, featuring Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson in the leading roles? Sandra Bullock replacing Emma Thompson was a curveball Renly hadn't anticipated. Had history changed once again?

In Renly's past life, The Big Dreamer had garnered attention during awards season, though it had ultimately fallen short in terms of wins. If Sandra Bullock had replaced Emma Thompson, what would the impact be on the upcoming awards season?

Could this be the butterfly effect in action? Was the chain reaction of Renly's rebirth starting to ripple across the industry, changing things he couldn't have anticipated?

"That's why Warner Bros. recommended you," Alfonso continued, unaware of the whirlwind of thoughts in Renly's head. "At the beginning of the project, we had already decided on the male lead."

"Male lead?" Renly raised an eyebrow. This was new information to him.

"Yes, Ryan Stone," Alfonso confirmed. "That was the original choice for the protagonist's name."

In the U.S., "Ryan" was considered a masculine name, though it had started to gain popularity among women. Stone had a solid, tough feel to it—probably a casual choice that fit the character.

Alfonso continued, "We originally wanted Robert Downey Jr. for the role, but after seeing your performance in Les Misérables, I realized you were the perfect fit. If you're willing to join, the crew can wait for your schedule. We'll start filming as soon as you're available. I'm confident Warner Bros. won't object!"