The Greatest Showman - Chapter 1021: Friends Gather

"... Personally, I am very sorry that I can't be part of this two-week show with my buddies," Renly said with a warm smile, spreading his arms. "But, as the saying goes, this is the West End, and the show must go on." He laughed, referencing one of the most famous lines in the industry. "No matter what happens, the show must go on. It's part of our professionalism."

"However, once the publicity ends, I'll be back on stage in full capacity for the next two weeks. Yes, it's in my contract, and personally, I'm thrilled to fulfill it." Standing atop the red carpet, Renly was being interviewed when a voice caught his attention. He turned toward the sound, "Oh, Gavin, come here, don't hold back. Today's premiere isn't too formal—you can join us."

Gavin Hunter blinked in confusion. His body acted before his brain could process the request. With a quick step, he joined Renly's side, just as reporters behind him surged forward, turning the space into a chaotic cluster—a large marshmallow, or a doughnut, of people.

The premiere of Edge of Tomorrow opened a mysterious door into a different side of Hollywood. There were no constraints, no rules. The once-structured red carpet had vanished, and the line between actors and the audience had blurred. The scene became a whirlwind of excitement, resembling nothing so much as a high school reunion—but a very successful one.

Though the red carpet was only 60 meters long, it felt endless as Renly continued to make his way down, greeted by eager fans and reporters. After 30 minutes of waiting, some reporters couldn't stand the tension any longer. They veered off to interview the passionate fans, causing a stir. One of these was Bradley Adams from The New York Times.

At that point, Gavin couldn't hold back any longer, and he jumped in with a question.

"Has the Broadway show time been confirmed yet? This is your chance for the audience to see you perform on Broadway, right?" Bradley, ever the New Yorker, was more focused on this upcoming event than on today's premiere.

Renly laughed, his voice warm and confident. "The performance time hasn't been confirmed just yet, but it should be finalized next week. The official announcement will follow. And yes, I am honored to stand on the Broadway stage and perform there."

Before Gavin could respond, Bradley was back with another question. "Earlier, Empire magazine had an exclusive interview with you in London's West End. When you return to the U.S., is there any chance we can land an exclusive interview?"

Some reporters were about to protest, but the moment they heard this, they quieted and focused their attention on Renly, eagerly awaiting his response.

"If I remember correctly, Warner Bros. and Andy have already arranged time for an exclusive interview, so you'll have to check with them about the specifics. Personally, I'm prepared for it. Interviews are a rare break for me—much easier than talk shows," Renly said with a smile.

His response was met with chuckles from the reporters, though Renly remained serious.

At that moment, Gavin finally had his chance to ask. "Renly, first of all, congratulations on the success of the West End show! And we're all eager to see you perform on Broadway. But more importantly, we're curious—do you have any plans for your next film project?"

Renly grinned, teasing, "Can I assume that you're not interested in hearing about today's work at all?" His playful comment made all the reporters laugh, including Gavin, who quickly regained composure.

"I understand what you're asking. Right now, my focus is on the Les Misérables show, but yes, after Broadway, I'm very much looking forward to being in front of the camera again."

Just as the interview seemed to wrap up, a voice called from behind. "Hey, hey, gentleman, do you have time for a hug?"

Before Renly could turn, Ryan Gosling had already wrapped him in a big, warm hug. With a mischievous grin, Ryan addressed the reporters. "Let me tell you a secret. The British don't like hugs, but Canadians? They're avid huggers! So, I thought, why not solve that issue?"

Renly chuckled, patting Ryan's arm, "Sweetheart, don't make me regret being friends with you."

Ryan was unperturbed, still holding Renly tightly. "So, does that mean no kiss today?"

Renly remained unflustered, replying calmly, "We can always ask someone else for help with that. Maybe Eva?" He leaned in closer, his voice lowering, "For example, Eva Mendes."

Ryan panicked immediately. He released Renly quickly and looked around, trying to cover his embarrassment. "Is Paul here? Oh, by the way, I just saw Andrew Garfield—man, are you sure this is okay?"

Today's premiere was certainly star-studded. Beyond Ryan Gosling, Scarlett Johansson's unexpected appearance set the crowd buzzing. Jake Gyllenhaal made a rare public appearance, looking effortlessly cool, while Nicholas Hoult, Alexander Skarsgard, and his brother Bill were warmly welcomed.

Liam Hemsworth and his fiancée Miley Cyrus also joined hands on the red carpet, marking a moment of personal significance. Given Liam's recent connections with Renly and the ongoing competition between Edge of Tomorrow and Snow White and the Huntsman, this premiere was full of intrigue.

However, it was Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone, the rumored couple, who grabbed the most attention. Their relationship, rumored after filming The Amazing Spider-Man, had been kept largely private, but today, they made their public debut together.

"Yes, Renly is an actor I truly admire," Emma admitted with excitement. "I had a brief conversation with him at this year's Oscars, and I must say, he is incredibly charming."

Andrew, standing beside her, smiled and added, "As an actor, Renly is inspiring. But as a boyfriend, I believe I have my own charms."

The reporters, unexpectedly bombarded by this playful declaration, rolled their eyes and moved on, though the spark between the couple didn't go unnoticed.

Before the premiere, there had been concerns about Edge of Tomorrow's youthful cast not being able to hold their own against more seasoned stars. But with the stream of star power present, it was clear this premiere would be anything but forgettable.

As Renly was interviewed again, he casually asked, "Does attending this premiere mean I've been invited to the Amazing Spider-Man premiere as well?"

Andrew, always quick with a smile, responded, "You know you're always welcome! But we're more worried about your schedule—there's a good chance you won't make it to our premiere with how packed your calendar is."

Renly raised an eyebrow. "Is there only one premiere in Los Angeles?" he asked, catching Andrew off-guard. It was a moment of mischief that had the whole crowd chuckling.

Emma, leaning against Andrew, laughed. "Don't pick on him too much. You know how he is—honest to a fault," she winked at Renly. "Now I know why rumors are spreading. Andrew, are you sure you still want to be friends with him?"

Andrew simply nodded with a sheepish grin, while Renly smiled back, calm and collected.

As the couple made their exit, reporters turned back to Renly, asking about the rumored pranks. With a sly grin, Renly answered, "If everyone's saying it, I guess it must be true." His gentlemanly demeanor left the crowd captivated, even as the rumors swirled.