Chapter 1041: Solemn Call

Renly Hall, Jennifer Lawrence, Paul Walker, Alexander Skarsgard, Rami Malek, Donald Glover, Kaya Scodelario, Will Poulter, Tony Wei, Ray Stevenson.

Ten actors—yes, ten—were present, marking the most complete crew lineup during the promotion period of Edge of Tomorrow. Even Ray Stevenson, who portrayed the general, was in attendance. This event not only demonstrated the sincerity of the crew but also underscored the significance of the team's contribution to the film. Such a comprehensive gathering of the cast was a rarity during other commercial film promotions.

Once the actors were all seated, the host, Matt, couldn't resist turning to Renly. "Before we dive into today's interview, I just have to say—your performance just now was incredible. I've never seen anything like it. Can you tell us more about that song?"

"Of course," Renly replied with a smile, adjusting the microphone as he took a moment to collect his thoughts. "As I mentioned earlier, today's performance had a purpose. I wanted to raise awareness about ALS and the Heather-Cross Foundation. The song we just performed is the foundation's theme song."

Ann, another host, seized the moment and interjected, "What's the name of the song?"

Renly paused, a playful smirk crossing his face. "Can I say it directly? Why do I feel like I'm selling insurance?" His self-deprecating humor drew chuckles from Paul, Jennifer, and the others. Renly laughed and continued, "'Another Light'. That's the song we just performed."

He grew serious again, his tone gentle yet earnest. "I want people to realize that every life is important. Each person has their own world, and though their struggles may not be visible to others, that doesn't make them any less significant. That's what the Heather-Cross Foundation is all about. Even in the tiniest light, there's uniqueness."

Rami Malek's voice added a thoughtful note from behind him. "Like Heather Cross," he said.

Renly turned and smiled at Rami. "Yes, like Heather Cross."

He took a deep breath and continued. "Before Heather, I didn't even know about amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The pain and suffering of this disease are unimaginable. I believe there are countless people suffering from such conditions in the world—ordinary people—and their struggles are real. It may seem mundane or unimportant to some, but this is life. I'm trying to make light of it in a humorous way, hoping to bring attention to it. But, honestly, I realize it's not going to be easy."

Renly's self-deprecating tone lightened the mood, and a low laugh spread through Rockefeller Plaza.

"So, before you all abandon the show, just know the show must go on. Otherwise, that performance will feel like a loss," Renly quipped, drawing more laughter.

Matt, who sat opposite him, added with a grin, "Trust me, it'll never be a loss. I'm sure the social networks are already exploding."

Cheers erupted from the crowd as Donald and Jennifer joined in with their own cheers, the atmosphere lightening once more.

Renly chuckled, "'Another Light' will officially be released this week. You can find it on all major platforms. And all the proceeds, every single penny, will be donated to the Heather-Cross Foundation." The crowd responded with whistles and applause, momentarily interrupting Renly.

He paused, letting the moment sink in. "And, in addition to the 'One Man's Concert' in February, I wrote another meaningful song. After a lot of consideration, I've finished the studio recording of this song. It will also be available on major digital platforms."

The crowd murmured in anticipation, and Renly's voice grew calm, "This song will also be included in the Don Quixote album. A special edition of the album will be released, but it's limited to 500,000 copies. Once they're gone, they're gone. And just like the previous song, all proceeds will go to the Heather-Cross Foundation."

As cheers filled the air, Matt and Ann exchanged a glance, their surprise evident. The sincerity in Renly's words resonated deeply, making it clear that everything he was doing, all the attention, was for a purpose far greater than fame.

Matt exclaimed, "So, Renly, you're telling us you're serious about all of this?"

Renly laughed. "I'm trying to be serious. As far as I know, it's really serious now. Just last week, at the premiere of Edge of Tomorrow, we released a limited batch of merchandise. From what I understand, the sales are going well, and Warner Bros. is donating all proceeds to the Heather-Cross Foundation."

An's eyes widened. "Wait a minute—so all that social media buzz, all those posts, are for charity?" She shook her head in disbelief. "Why didn't you just say so earlier? That could've stirred even more attention."

Renly raised an eyebrow. "Well, I guess I'm not the producer of Edge of Tomorrow." He smiled wryly. "Warner Bros. didn't want to blur the focus or have people confuse the promotion with the box office. But, yes, we needed attention. And judging by the response, I'd say we've succeeded."

He paused, adding with a grin, "So… now it seems like I'm selling insurance, huh? Well, I'm hoping the social networks at least stir up a little excitement. That would be great."

The audience erupted in laughter, and the energy in the room grew palpable.

After the broadcast, the show's ratings reached an all-time high, and social networks were ablaze with activity. On Twitter alone, 1,600 tweets per minute flooded in, continuing for six hours. The discussion spread across Facebook, Instagram, Google, and Yahoo, pushing Edge of Tomorrow to even greater visibility. The film left its competition far behind, its momentum unstoppable.

The most astonishing moment came when the live video of Renly's performance of Another Light went viral. The video was broadcast on NBC and uploaded to YouTube, where it gained over 40 million views in just 12 hours, and reached 100 million within 24 hours, becoming the fastest-growing video in YouTube history.

The impact was undeniable. Major platforms like iTunes and Spotify soon announced that all profits from the two songs—Another Light and Say You Won't Give Up—would be donated to the Heather-Cross Foundation, further amplifying the reach of the charity.

Reporters, stunned by the scale of Renly's charitable campaign, began to understand his true purpose. What had initially seemed like a promotional stunt now appeared as a heartfelt movement, elevating Renly to the status of a first-line superstar.

As Renly had said, it wasn't about the hype. It was about a cause that truly mattered.

Later, Renly raised an eyebrow, looking at Matt. "Are you sure you don't want me to stop? I could always hold an impromptu concert right here."

The room erupted in eager shouts and cheers, but Renly quickly added, "But today's for the promotion of Edge of Tomorrow. I think we should focus on the movie."