The Greatest Showman #1137 – Smile Stiff

Originally, the reporters hoped to spark a conversation and create a rift between Hugh and Renly. But Hugh was unfazed by their attempts, and his friendly, kind answers completely eliminated any chance of conflict. His genuine warmth and sincerity quickly became apparent, dispelling any notion of hostility.

"By the way, did you know that Renly has a movie coming out? It's showing in New York and Los Angeles, and I saw it before the official release. Honestly, he's an incredible actor." Hugh looked at the reporters with a smile, then added, "Could you pass on my respect to Renly? I'd really love to hear his thoughts on the film."

The reporters could only shake their heads in exasperation. Not only had they failed to incite any conflict, but Hugh had also turned the conversation into a moment of admiration for Renly. It felt almost like Hugh was expressing his love for Renly right in front of them.

"Maybe you can tell him I love him," Hugh joked, and the reporters were left speechless.

At last, one reporter, unable to stand the conversation dragging on, quickly changed the subject, fearing the conversation would go on endlessly. The reporters now realized they were reaping the consequences of their own actions.

"Hugh, during the making of this film, aside from the actors, there were also some professional stage actors from the 25th anniversary of the 'Les Miserables' world tour. Do you think this type of collaboration adds something special to the production?"

Finally, the conversation shifted away from Renly and back to the "Les Miserables" movie. The reporters were still taken aback by Hugh's warm and eloquent responses.

At this point, it seemed impossible to create any tension between Hugh and Renly. However, comparisons between the two works were unavoidable. Both came out in the same year, both were adaptations, and one was a stage production while the other was a film. Naturally, comparisons would arise.

It wasn't just about comparing the actors. Every position in the production, from the screenwriters to the directors to the producers, was fair game, especially with the stage version having achieved such success. The reporters' attempts to provoke a reaction between Hugh and Renly were clearly driven by the influence of the two actors.

After failing in their first attempt, the reporters would not let it go. They would keep trying—second, third, and possibly even fourth attempts—until they sparked the desired explosion.

Eddie Redmayne's Premiere Nerves

Eddie Redmayne felt his nerves tighten as he stood at the edge of the red carpet. His throat constricted slightly, and his chest felt tight, as though thousands of butterflies were fluttering at once. He knew this was a huge opportunity—a once-in-a-lifetime chance—but getting to the premiere was a whole different experience.

Looking out over the sea of people in Trafalgar Square, the atmosphere felt like New Year's Eve—loud, energetic, and chaotic—but with all eyes focused on "Les Miserables," and all of them ready to judge his performance. He could feel his nerves intensify with every passing second.

A year earlier, Eddie had joined Hollywood's awards season with "My Week with Marilyn," and the glitz of Vanity Fair had opened his eyes to a new world. But now, nothing could compare to the magnitude of "Les Miserables." From the scale of the production to the attention it commanded, this premiere alone was a testament to the film's dominance in this year's awards season.

Eddie kept reminding himself that it was just a premiere. "Les Miserables" was the perfect fit for him; Tom Hooper had nearly replicated the stage play's style, and as an actor born and raised in London's West End, Eddie was naturally aligned with the material.

This film was Eddie's gateway to Hollywood, the turning point in his career, and the best stage for him to showcase his talents.

Taking a long, deep breath, Eddie tried to calm his racing thoughts. The car slowly came to a stop in front of the red carpet, and there was no time left for hesitation. This was his moment. He was ready.

As he stepped out of the car and onto the red carpet, the chaos erupted. Cheers, applause, whistles, and screams all mixed together as the cameras flashed, each burst of light capturing the frenzy. It was as though he were standing at the center of the world.

"Eddie! Eddie! Over here, Eddie Redmayne!" the crowd screamed, and Eddie couldn't help but smile. This was his moment.

With a composed and steady smile, Eddie made his way towards the waiting reporters. He stood firm, ready for the interview. The instructions from his agent ran through his mind, and though he remained calm, he couldn't help but wonder: what would the reporters ask?

Renly, Renly, Renly

"Eddie, there's a rumor that when Renly auditioned for 'Les Miserables,' he was the first choice for Marius. But Renly turned down the role, and you ended up getting it. Is that true?"

The smile on Eddie's face froze.

Renly. Again, Renly. The question, and most of the conversation, revolved around him.

Eddie couldn't believe it. This was his moment, but all the reporters wanted to talk about was Renly. Everywhere he went, it seemed like Renly was the topic. It was as if he couldn't escape him.

In the summer, everyone was talking about Renly's success at the Almeida Theatre. Even Eddie's own family was caught up in the Renly frenzy. Meanwhile, Eddie had just starred in the movie version of "Les Miserables," and yet, it seemed as though no one remembered his achievement.

Now, at the premiere, the first question was about Renly, and Eddie couldn't help but feel like a mere afterthought. It was maddening. Why couldn't they focus on his performance, on his moment?

Renly's fame, his family legacy, his nobility—it all seemed to overshadow Eddie's hard work.

"Damn it," Eddie thought, his frustration building inside.

But despite his inner turmoil, Eddie forced a smile and composed himself. "Renly is a very talented actor," he said through gritted teeth, trying to sound gracious. "I had the opportunity to audition with him, and I would have been honored to work with him. But I believe our loss is the West End's gain."

The next question came quickly: "Do you think you're better suited to play Marius than Renly?"

Eddie faltered, unsure how to respond. He chuckled awkwardly. "Honestly, I don't know. That's for the audience to decide. If I'm not mistaken, Renly played Jean Valjean at the Almeida Theatre, so maybe that's a question for Hugh to answer."

Eddie's smile remained fixed, though it was strained. The next question came even quicker: "Why do you think you got the role of Marius? Was it because Renly turned it down?"

The question stung, but Eddie fought to keep his composure. "I'm not a casting director, so I really can't say. But I hope it's because my performance was strong enough to impress the director. I also hope the audience will appreciate my work."

After finishing his answer, Eddie couldn't take it anymore. He made a quick excuse and nearly fled the interview area, escaping the relentless barrage of Renly-focused questions.