The Greatest Showman #1115 - Crew Curious

The Warner Bros. photography base in Surrey had once again welcomed a group of familiar faces.

For the past six months, this group of people had taken up residence, working tirelessly day and night to refine shooting plans, mechanical equipment, special effects, and more. The remote town, quiet and peaceful, had gradually become accustomed to the presence of these foreign visitors.

Two weeks ago, the photography base had closed for a brief break, and the crew had scattered for some rest. But today, they were back in full force, preparing for the next phase of production.

Even before the sun had reached its zenith, the photography base buzzed with activity. New discussions filled the air, and the town's residents couldn't help but be drawn to the commotion. The town, caught between late autumn and the lingering warmth of a fading summer, seemed to be infused with an unexpected energy.

Even the jaded Hollywood veterans, those who'd seen it all, couldn't suppress their silent admiration.

In Hollywood, rumors and gossip are always rampant, often obscured by the personal images carefully crafted by agents and publicists. It's easy to forget that in the entertainment industry, seeing isn't always believing. You can't fully grasp the truth until you interact with someone, get to know them beyond the surface.

The higher the fame, the more rumors cloud the truth, much like the story of "the boy who cried wolf."

When Renly first arrived at the photography base, his unexpected actions sparked much speculation. Some wondered if this was all part of an image campaign, or maybe it was a clever strategy from his agent. Some even joked that Renly was simply napping on mechanical props, pretending to study and research.

A twenty-two-year-old Oscar winner? It seemed too outlandish to be real. With the decline of London's West End and Broadway, combined with the box-office success of Edge of Tomorrow, some couldn't help but wonder if this was just another cog in the Hollywood machine.

In today's fast-paced culture, where the internet floods us with exaggerated headlines, trust in the truth has become a rare commodity. But such doubts were to be expected for someone as successful as Renly.

Since the studio reopened, the place was far from empty.

Nathan, Roy, Alfonso, and Timothy had all been around, checking in on the progress. Alfonso, in particular, was present every forty-five minutes, his concern for Renly palpable. After running back and forth countless times, his face bore the signs of exhaustion. His visits, however, were always a sign of care.

But there were others too—crew members who stayed just outside, watching the studio with curious eyes, whispering among themselves. They were careful not to overstep, but the underlying tension was undeniable, like an invisible current in the calm waters of Hollywood.

It wasn't until Renly's appearance that the calm was shattered.

"Do you know what happened?" someone asked, eyes wide with disbelief. "It's true—I saw it with my own eyes! No one went in to help him; Renly just broke free from the entire device and escaped on his own! God, it was terrifying!"

"Are you sure?" came the skeptical reply.

"The prop team just went in to check," another voice chimed in. "They found the spacesuit on the ground, with a few drops of blood around it. No one knows how he got out."

"I heard the spacesuit was soaked, and Renly was severely dehydrated," someone added. "He fainted as soon as he came out. The doctor said his condition was bad—he's dehydrated, and his muscles are in serious tension. He's resting now."

The whispers grew louder, but then the real question emerged: "So, Renly did what Ryan Stone did in the movie? He really came back to Earth from space?"

The silence was deafening as the crew exchanged glances, then a shiver ran through them. It was as if the line between fiction and reality had blurred beyond recognition. Someone broke the stillness with a hesitant question: "Are you sure no one helped him? There's only one exit in the studio... Could there be a secret passage?"

"Do you think this is Mission Impossible?" came the sarcastic reply.

The rumors and gossip spread like wildfire. No one could stop talking about it. After all, who could ignore Renly's insane dedication?

When Renly first decided to tie himself to the equipment and experience the isolation of space, everyone thought he was either putting on a show or had lost his mind. The test crew struggled for just thirty minutes; Renly endured it for twelve hours.

After eleven long hours, Renly finally emerged, his body exhausted and his task seemingly impossible. He had not only endured the harsh conditions for over half a day, but also completed an incredible feat of self-salvation. The staff, watching in awe, couldn't help but marvel at the sheer determination he displayed.

To be precise, it was ten hours and forty-three minutes.

This was the story of the day, the story that would fuel discussions long after the film's release. The line between Renly Hall and Ryan Stone had blurred completely. Even the crew began to wonder: Was this a movie, or was it real life?

"Did he really do it?" one crew member said in awe. "God, now I'm convinced—he really is a lunatic!"

"Have you seen the studio? It looks like a detective's crime scene, with everyone trying to figure out how he managed it."

"I heard the prop team is completely baffled," another crew member added. "They found the spacesuit on the ground, and Schubert's music was still playing. Honestly, it felt like something out of The Shining."

"We're in the UK, not America!" someone else muttered, half-joking, half-nervous.

"I heard Renly locked himself in a coffin for Buried Alive," someone whispered, "for eight hours! He came out looking like a vampire."

"Shut up! This is a sci-fi movie, not a horror film!"

Despite the chaotic speculation, no one could deny the aura surrounding Renly. Every crew member, regardless of their experience, was caught up in the intensity of the moment. It was impossible not to feel the weight of what was happening.

Inside the studio, Alfonso, Timothy Weber, and the props team were gathered around the lightbox, staring at the disarray as if they were watching a bizarre mystery unfold. They exchanged glances, uncertain of what to make of it all.

"I think we'll only get answers once we start filming," Timothy said, his voice tinged with both disbelief and admiration. "You really found a gem, Alfonso. If it were me, I wouldn't have trusted a young actor under twenty-three with a role like this—Oscar winner or not."

Alfonso chuckled softly, shrugging. "When I extended the invitation, I knew that the talent was there. West End, Broadway—whichever you prefer, Renly has it all."

Still, his concern was palpable. "What worries me now is Renly's health. Eleven hours... the doctor says he needs rest."

Indeed, Renly's well-being was a top priority for everyone. This project was as much his as it was anyone's, and if Renly faltered, the entire production could be in jeopardy.

Nathan and Roy, in particular, were beside themselves with worry. They had seen Renly's dedication firsthand, but even they couldn't stop him.

"Are you sure he's okay?" Nathan asked, his frustration growing. "I heard Andy say Renly's health wasn't a problem during Buried Alive, but now... this is different."

Roy exhaled slowly. "Don't worry. The doctor said he's just exhausted and needs some sleep. We won't disturb him."

But even as Roy said this, he couldn't shake his concern. Renly's relentless dedication was both admirable and alarming.

"We should go," Roy said, patting Nathan on the shoulder. He turned toward Renly, still resting, and with a mix of frustration and amusement, added, "I swear, this guy's going to drive us all mad."

Outside, a group of crew members had gathered, eavesdropping at the door. When they heard Roy approaching, they scattered like children caught in the act. Roy couldn't help but laugh as he stepped forward, making a joke to lighten the tension. "Guess you didn't hear what you were expecting, huh?"

The crew chuckled, though the anxiety still lingered in the air.