The Greatest Showman #1138 - Stay Out of the Way

Nathan sat across from Renly, watching as the actor absentmindedly rubbed the script between his fingers. His focus seemed to drift far from their conversation, lost in thought, absorbed in the characters and the narrative. Nathan, realizing Renly had already tuned out, felt a twinge of helplessness.

Normally, Nathan would quietly slip away to give Renly space to think, but this time was different. Renly had a phone interview to attend. With a soft cough, Nathan gently called his name, "Renly. Renly!"

Renly blinked, suddenly aware of his surroundings, his brows furrowed as he refocused. Nathan quickly reminded him, "Phone interview. That's why we're sitting here. Remember?"

Renly nodded, snapping back to attention. "What's the subject of the interview? Tell me again."

"'Les Miserables,'" Nathan repeated. Just then, the phone rang. He glanced down at the caller ID and saw it was Ned Mullan, a reporter from Empire magazine. Nathan quickly explained, "The film version of Les Miserables had its world premiere in London two days ago."

As the phone rang, Nathan swiftly answered, exchanged a few pleasantries, and handed the receiver to Renly.

"Why?" Renly's voice cut through the air, startling Ned on the other end of the line. "The film version of Les Miserables—why are you calling me? If I remember correctly, I wasn't involved in this production."

Ned hesitated. He could say that Renly had been in the theatrical version, or that Renly had auditioned for the film, or that the simultaneous premieres of both versions were generating major buzz. But Ned knew Renly wouldn't be satisfied with these excuses.

After a pause, Ned offered a more honest answer. "Because you're one of the most popular actors. Any topic involving you seems to boost sales. I thought I'd try my luck."

Renly chuckled lightly, acknowledging the truth in Ned's words. "I can't argue with that. As long as it's not about the presidential election, I'm happy to help."

The election year had turned 2012 into a whirlwind of political fervor, but for Renly, who was focused on his work in London and New York, it felt like an external storm that had no bearing on his life.

Understanding the joke, Ned laughed. "Are you interested in the feedback about the movie version of Les Miserables?"

"Not particularly," Renly answered honestly. "I have a lot of respect for Cameron McIntosh and would have loved to be involved in the show if possible, which is why I auditioned in the first place. But McIntosh wanted to adapt the whole stage version into a film, and I felt that was a mistake. It lost the essence of the medium. A film should be a film, and a play should be a play. They're two completely different art forms, and blending them doesn't work."

Renly's thoughts echoed the feelings he had about other adaptations, such as the 2016 film Fences, which he had personally opposed for similar reasons.

Ned quickly grasped the underlying message in Renly's words. "So, you're saying that's why you chose the Almeida version?" he asked.

"I'm not going to deny it. But let me clarify—I never received a formal offer from the film production. I chose the stage version before they made their decision. So it wasn't a case of me rejecting the film or being rejected." Renly's explanation was straightforward, though he knew the public wouldn't care about the nuance of the situation.

Ned, sensing this wasn't the kind of story the public was looking for, shifted the topic. "The premiere of the film version of Les Miserables received mixed reviews. What are your thoughts on that?"

Renly wasn't surprised. "I'm not shocked," he said with a smirk. "If the reviews were glowing, I wouldn't be getting a call from you."

Ned chuckled, realizing Renly had read his intentions perfectly. "It's like you know every move reporters will make."

Renly laughed lightly. "Your routine is easy to guess. It's simpler than the script of a Hollywood superhero movie."

Ned laughed again. "So, about Hugh Jackman—can you share your thoughts on his performance as Jean Valjean?"

"Of course," Renly replied. "I think people tend to underestimate Hugh. Everyone knows him as Wolverine, but not many realize he's also won a Tony. He's a phenomenal stage actor. Have you seen his Oklahoma? It's incredible. I'm sure his Jean Valjean will be outstanding."

Ned was eager to follow up. "And what about you? How do you think you would have played the role?"

"We have two different styles," Renly said. "On one hand, the direction of the show itself differs. For John Codd's version, Jean Valjean is just another man in society, so you have to tone things down. For Cameron McIntosh's version, he's the central character, the anchor of the entire narrative, so naturally, the performance has to be bigger, stronger. The acting style is bound to be different."

Ned nodded, appreciating the depth of Renly's perspective. Renly continued, "But, really, Hugh has the skills to make his version of Jean Valjean something special. His performance will be full of gravitas, especially in the arias. I'm sure it'll be an intense, captivating portrayal."

Ned relished Renly's insights. Though Renly wasn't giving him any juicy gossip or stoking controversy, his thoughts on acting were valuable and candid—something that only those in the industry could truly appreciate.

Still, Ned was curious. "Have you seen the movie yet?"

"I haven't," Renly replied honestly. "So, I can't offer a proper opinion. But I can tell you, they have a fantastic cast of stage actors. The performances will be solid, no doubt. It might end up being the Queen's version of the play on the big screen. That's my guess."

Ned chuckled, sensing the playful undertone in Renly's words. "Well, without comparisons, there's no harm. But it looks like the calls for you will keep coming for a while."

Renly raised an eyebrow but didn't respond.

Ned added, "Renly, you're a fantastic actor. I'm so glad I went to see Les Miserables at the Almeida. Six hours well spent. Thanks for your time today."

"Anytime," Renly said with a smile as the call ended.

He handed the phone back to Nathan, who had been quietly observing. "All interviews about the movie version of Les Miserables are to be declined. The official line is... I'm busy at work and haven't had time to see the film, but I have a lot of respect for Hugh Jackman."

Nathan nodded, recording the instructions in his mind. "Anything else to add? Should we say that you'll watch it in the future?"

"That's all," Renly affirmed. "No need to add anything else. Oh, and tell Emma Fielding to make a call to John Codd. Just let them know what we discussed. They'll know what to do."

Nathan nodded again, understanding that Renly wasn't seeking the spotlight or extra attention, but rather that he wanted to ensure his stance was clear and controlled.

As Renly predicted, following the release of the film version of Les Miserables, the media and fans began comparing the two works side by side. Both professionals and enthusiasts took part in the debate, making it one of the hottest topics of the awards season.