The Greatest Showman #1068 – Coen Brothers

"Is that why you created The Beast in the first place?"

Joel's question came out quickly, tinged with uncontainable enthusiasm. The excitement in his voice was palpable, bringing Renly back to that first meeting in Berlin.

Joel had always been like this—impulsive, restless, urgent. In his more negative moments, it could be seen as a lack of control, but in the best light, it was just pure, unfiltered simplicity.

People tend to define others based on their first impression, but more often than not, that impression is one-dimensional. Few have the patience to dig deeper and explore what lies beyond that surface.

Renly, faced with Joel's intense gaze, simply nodded in confirmation.

"On the road to discovering oneself, people see the success, the glory. But they rarely see the loneliness that came before it. On that lonely road, where there seems to be no way forward, too many souls are trapped. They struggle, they persevere, they fight—using their own flesh and blood to create beauty and crown. It was never about ballads or movies; it was always about themselves."

"Don Quixote was a success. The Coen brothers are a success. So people take notice—ballad albums, independent films, questions about why folk music? But what happens when we fail?" Renly continued, his tone turning reflective. "Then, no one cares. Whether it's folk music or independent films—it no longer matters."

A slight surprise flickered across Joel, Ethan, and even Renly's faces. The conversation had taken an unexpected turn. It wasn't just about movies or music anymore—it was philosophical. For a moment, it felt as though they had stepped away from the usual industry talk into something deeper.

This would have been normal if they were in Europe—where debates on politics, philosophy, or art can bring strangers together to discuss for hours. But here, in America, it felt a bit out of place.

What was more surprising than Renly's musings, however, was the Coen brothers' response.

After a brief moment of astonishment, Joel's eyes lit up, his enthusiasm growing brighter with each passing second. It was as if something had sparked inside him, igniting a fire that made his ordinary features glow with excitement.

That's the thing about people in the arts—their souls tend to shine through their work, and their essence can often make them seem more captivating than their looks alone. Talent has that rare ability to draw people in and captivate them, transcending superficiality.

Joel looked at Ethan with a sudden burst of inspiration. "It's him," he said decisively, slapping his thigh, then shaking Ethan's shoulder vigorously. "Ethan, I'm telling you—it's him! He's the inspiration! Do you see it? Now?"

Joel's excitement was so intense that Ethan's glasses nearly flew off his face.

"Sorry," Ethan said, giving Renly a sheepish smile. "He gets carried away."

"Carried away?" Joel said, practically vibrating with excitement. "Of course, I'm excited! We've found it!" He turned toward Renly, his gaze fixed with growing intensity. "We were thinking about making a folk singer movie—and in you, we found our inspiration! With Don Quixote, we found our inspiration. God, we found it! We really found it!"

Renly's thoughts flashed back to that first, awkward encounter with the Coen brothers in Berlin. He had guessed the Coen brothers were interested in him for the Sundance Film Festival—a place where independent films could reconnect after all that had happened. But now, hearing Joel's revelation, it all made sense.

The room's tension dissolved into a shared understanding. The confusion faded, and both Andy and Renly exchanged knowing glances. The suspense was over.

Even Roy and Nathan, who had initially been puzzled, were now calm. The surprise had settled, but the reality of it—working with the Coen brothers—was an exciting prospect.

The Coen brothers were not just leaders in American independent cinema; they were giants on the world stage. For Renly, they were one of the most respected duos in the industry. Their work was unconventional and edgy, but it always left an impression. Films like No Country for Old Men, The Big Lebowski, and Fargo had cemented their place as pioneers in the art of filmmaking.

Still, even with their star power, Renly couldn't help but feel a sense of hesitation. While he admired their work, he wasn't sure his schedule would allow for such a collaboration.

But Joel wasn't one to leave room for doubt. He kept talking, his energy uncontainable. "I saw a Grammy performance once—or, no, wait—your acceptance speech after you won Album of the Year. That speech brought back memories of the 1960s."

As Joel spoke, his hands and feet moved in animated gestures, his face alight with enthusiasm. He couldn't contain the excitement bubbling inside him.

"It was the era when folk singers were taking the world by storm. So many great songs came from that time—not just as musical accomplishments, but as social and political commentaries. These songs were poetry in motion. They changed the cultural fabric of America."

The words spilled out like music, each one charged with energy. Even Ethan was drawn in, nodding along in agreement.

"Back then, society was in turmoil. Countless people—literally countless—wanted to be a part of that movement," Ethan added, his voice brimming with passion. "It didn't matter who you were. What mattered was that you were part of the folk music wave."

Joel leaned forward, nearly bouncing in his seat. "And in your acceptance speech, we saw the same brilliance from that time. We felt it. We want to make a film about folk music, about the musicians of that era—but also about the era itself. It's not just about the music; it's about the entire generation of artists, and the cultural upheaval they sparked."

Renly could see the fervor in both of their eyes, a raw desire to capture something vital on screen.

"I mean, to think that in the twenty-first century, there are still people holding onto this pure land in their hearts… And you're only twenty-two. It's incredible," Joel continued, his tone full of admiration.

Ethan nodded, locking eyes with Renly. "We want to make a film based on you. As a prototype."