The Greatest Showman #1007 - The Curse of the Golden Man

Oscar, the pinnacle of achievement in the film industry, is the highest honor in contemporary society. Often regarded alongside the Emmys, Grammys, and Tony Awards in North America, it is also seen as one of the most prestigious awards globally, ranking with the Berlin Film Festival, Venice Film Festival, and Cannes Film Festival.

While many may criticize or even despise the Oscars, its influence and authority are undeniable. For film practitioners, especially actors, directors, and screenwriters, winning an Oscar is the ultimate dream. However, what happens once that dream is realized? After reaching the pinnacle, what remains? It's like climbing Mount Everest – once you reach the top, you see all the surrounding peaks. What do you do next? How do you surpass the achievement of the Oscar and maintain your place at the top?

At the peak, the space for further ascent is limited, and if one is not careful, it can lead to a downward spiral. The journey from the valley to the peak and from the peak back to the valley requires a similar resilience.

In real life, many actors who achieve Oscar-winning success often experience a post-award slump. This phenomenon, especially common among actresses, is humorously dubbed the "three years after winning the award" curse – or, more ominously, the curse of the Golden Man.

For example, after winning the Oscar in 1972, Liza Minnelli faded from the spotlight; Louise Fletcher's career waned after her 1975 win for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest; and Geraldine Page, who won in 1985 for The Trip to Bountiful, also disappeared for years.

The same can be said for actors like Cher (Moonstruck), Jessica Lange (Tootsie), Susan Sarandon (Dead Man Walking), Gwyneth Paltrow (Shakespeare in Love), and Halle Berry (Monster's Ball), among many others. The list of those who struggled post-Oscar is long.

Why does this happen? The answer lies in the nature of the Oscar itself. The Academy only recognizes an actor's performance in a specific film, not their entire career or personal journey. While a win brings greater recognition and higher salaries, it does not guarantee a sustained boost in career trajectory. Often, new Oscar winners are thrust into the spotlight with expectations that their future work will match or surpass their award-winning performance. But this is difficult to achieve, and when a film fails to meet expectations, the actor can quickly fall from favor, as the gap between their perceived success and actual standing widens.

Typically, the years before an actor wins an Oscar are considered their "golden years." During this period, actors focus on the quality of their work, and while the remuneration is modest compared to post-Oscar earnings, they enjoy more opportunities. After winning the Oscar, many actors either prioritize commercial success, appearing frequently in popcorn films with questionable quality, or they commit to the arts, struggling to find meaningful breakthroughs.

In essence, once at the peak, mental adjustment and accurate self-positioning are essential. If an actor becomes blinded by the Oscar's shine and loses touch with their true purpose, the added effect of the "Golden Man" can easily spiral into decline. This curse is not about vanity but rather the pressures that accompany fame and recognition.

The challenge for Oscar-winning actors is choosing the right next project. It is a delicate balance: they must distance themselves from the role that earned them the Oscar while still challenging themselves enough to avoid stagnation. However, these challenges should not be too radical, as drastic departures can lead to failure.

For many young actors on the rise, the challenge becomes even greater. After winning an Oscar at a young age, an actor must carefully choose their next steps. For example, Renly's career trajectory, after winning the Oscar for Crazy Love at 22, is at a crossroads. He has reached the top, but the question remains: will he sustain his success, or will this be the beginning of his descent?

So far, all of Renly's works have been successful, with even Buried Alive, the lowest-grossing of his films, turning a substantial profit. With the public's growing expectations and attention, it remains to be seen whether Renly can continue this upward momentum. Andy Rogers and the Creative Artists Agency are keenly aware of this.

This is why Renly's decision to perform in Les Miserables in London was widely supported by his agency. His dedication to refining his craft and maintaining a humble attitude helps him avoid the backlash that often follows young Oscar winners. Instead of being swept away by the glitter of his Oscar win, Renly's approach is to remain grounded and focused on long-term growth.

After months of focus on Les Miserables, Renly's agent, Andy, has been diligently reviewing potential projects for his next steps. From indie art films to commercial blockbusters, the options are vast, but the choices are critical.

Andy's goal now is not simply to find another hit movie. It's about maintaining the integrity of Renly's image while continuing to challenge him creatively. A blockbuster film, like those of Edge of Tomorrow, might offer a significant payday (Renly's salary has now reached $10 million plus a 5% box-office share), but such projects must align with Renly's emerging image. Similarly, indie art films can offer creative freedom, but they also need to present new and exciting challenges.

Navigating this post-Oscar phase is no small task. The next role must not only be commercially viable but also creatively stimulating.

An intriguing offer came recently from Warner Bros., who proposed that Renly take on the role of Batman. While the idea of Renly as the iconic superhero is enticing, Andy quickly rejected the proposal. Renly's style and temperament do not align with the character of Batman. It's akin to when Warner Bros. chose Nicolas Cage to play Superman – a decision that led to failure. Renly, with his distinctive presence, simply wasn't right for this role.

Similarly, Universal Pictures inquired about Renly taking over the role of Luke Hobbs in the Fast & Furious franchise. However, Andy put this on hold, assessing the situation further while considering Renly's evolving career.

As Andy reviews dozens of potential projects, he remains focused on finding the right next step for Renly. A suitable role will allow Renly to break the "Golden Man" curse and continue his journey without being boxed in by the expectations of his Oscar-winning status.

But for now, the question remains: what comes after "Les Miserables" and the Golden Man?