The Greatest Showman #1163 – Seamless

Renly hadn't given much thought to what he should do next.

The filming process of Gravity had been grueling, both physically and mentally exhausting. Every day was filled with tension and hard work. Even before finishing the shoot, Renly hadn't had the time or opportunity to reflect on his next steps. Not even Andy was pushing for any immediate plans.

Perhaps he should take a well-deserved rest and truly relax. Maybe he should start looking for another script, something that could sustain the momentum from Gravity and keep his acting fresh. Or perhaps he should actively participate in the awards season publicity to further solidify his reputation and industry connections.

Alternatively, maybe he should just call Paul and head to Hawaii to go surfing—enjoy the warmth and clear skies in the middle of winter. Or maybe he should stay in New York, spend time at home, flip through books, grab a coffee with friends, and enjoy some quiet moments.

But Renly hadn't seriously considered any of it.

Gravity had just wrapped, and the Coen brothers had already made their presence known at the film set, offering the most perfect and fitting opportunity.

Drunken Country Ballads was the role Renly had been most eager to pursue. It spoke to him on a personal level, even more so than Gravity. This film had the potential to combine his personal experiences with the character's story, offering him a chance to grow his craft even further.

After the technical challenges of Gravity, Drunken Country Ballads would strip away the special effects and technical shooting constraints, putting the focus squarely on the actors. It would be a return to traditional performance, with an additional layer: music. This would be the first time Renly would perform in a musical context.

The timing also seemed ideal. The schedule no longer posed a problem, the director's sincerity was compelling, and even the character design had been carefully thought out. Renly's initial reservations, expressed in his first meeting with Joel, had now been addressed with a well-crafted reason to move forward.

The biggest concern was that, after filming Gravity, Renly needed rest and recovery—not just to regain his physical strength but to recover his spirit and fully detach from Ryan Stone, the character he had just played. He needed to shed the effects of the space environment before immersing himself in the world of Drunken Country Ballads.

But on the other hand, this wasn't entirely a bad thing.

From a negative perspective, adjustment was necessary, but from a positive one, looking calm on the surface yet weighed down deep inside felt like a perfect fit for Levin Davis, the character. It was the best way to slip into character.

Moreover, the experience Renly gained from Les Miserables had made it increasingly easier to shake off the impact of a character. So, while there was some concern, it also became an opportunity to dive into a challenging, complex role.

When the timing is right, everything seems to fall into place. Renly had no reason to decline the offer, nor did he need to overthink it.

"When are we heading back to New York?" Renly asked, turning to Ethan with a smile. "Tomorrow, or the day after? If it's today, it might be a bit rushed."

Joel and Ethan exchanged glances, then looked at Renly, their eyes wide with surprise. Joel was the first to speak. "Renly, who are you? Did you just say...?"

Renly nodded, confirming his decision. "Thank you for the invitation. It's truly an honor to join the cast of Drunken Country Ballads. Did you just mention that the male lead's name is LeVine Davis?"

Joel opened his mouth, nodding rapidly, rubbing his hands with excitement. His smile was so wide it was almost contagious, though he was too excited to speak coherently.

Ethan, on the other hand, clenched his fists in triumph, grinning widely. "Welcome. We're so glad to have you on board. I mean... welcome to the crew!" Ethan quickly regained his composure as the producer and continued.

"First off, we require all singing in the film to be done live, no studio recordings. However, we'll also be releasing a studio album."

The Coen brothers' unique blend of professionalism and individuality was evident. Renly simply nodded, ready to cooperate. No contracts had been signed yet, but there was no hesitation in his decision. There was an unspoken understanding, and Renly wasn't worried about any overbearing demands scaring him away.

It was clear that Renly and the Coen brothers had a similar mindset—both professionals, stepping into the creative process seamlessly, almost without thinking.

"Do you have a master tape?" Renly asked. After his work on Don Quixote, he had a basic understanding of the music industry. It was a side of filmmaking he was beginning to appreciate, though he acknowledged he knew little about movie songs.

Ethan smiled. "Yes, it's always available, and we welcome your feedback. We know you're an exceptional folk singer. Honestly, we even considered giving you the entire album to produce, but... well, your schedule is a bit tight." Ethan laughed, clearly pleased with the idea of collaborating.

The Coen brothers had come to Surrey with a risky proposition. Joel's persistence had upset many agents and actors during the casting process, and things had become complicated. Renly had just finished a major production and was exhausted, so the Coens weren't sure if he would be willing to join their project without hesitation.

Now, Renly's swift agreement was a pleasant surprise. Even Ethan, known for his calm demeanor, was visibly overjoyed.

"Secondly, we'll need to adjust your appearance a bit," Ethan added with a grin. "I know it's hard to imagine anyone being picky about your looks, but we've got some ideas."

Renly raised an eyebrow, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Trust me, this is more crucial than I imagined," he said, fully aware of how young he appeared.

Ethan chuckled and quickly understood, then shrugged. "Apologies, but we need to go in a different direction. We want to explore more rugged, decadent styles. You know, a more... worn-out, lived-in kind of look. LeVerne Davis needs that kind of tired, sexy appeal."

It wasn't just about age—it was about capturing LeVine's essence.

Renly had played various roles before: the idealistic college student in Crazy in Love, the blue-collar worker in Buried Alive, the soldier in Edge of Tomorrow, and the brooding teacher in Transcendence. But he had never been asked to portray a character with decadent sex appeal—a role that was flawed yet oddly charismatic.

LeVine Davis was a jerk, selfish and arrogant, yet there was something about him that drew people in. The audience's relationship with him was complicated—a mix of pity, admiration, and frustration, but never pure hate. Renly would need to bring out this complex mix of emotions, and it would be a challenge like no other.

Renly thought for a moment, then quipped, "Decadent sexy? You mean, like Ryan Gosling in Blue Valentine?"

The room fell silent for a beat as Roy and Nathan considered Renly's comparison. Ethan quickly shook his head. "No, we need more of a Renly-Hall vibe."

Renly smiled knowingly, nodding as if processing the character's essence.

Ethan continued, "Also... are you allergic to cats?"

There was a cat in Drunken Country Ballads, a symbolic figure named Ulysses. The cat's role was rich in literary allusion: from Homer's Odyssey to the themes of self-discovery in James Joyce's Ulysses.

In many ways, the cat mirrored LeVine's life—one of wandering, searching, and ultimately settling for mediocrity. Ulysses represented the endless cycle of striving and surrendering, much like LeVine's journey.

And now, the Coen brothers wanted Renly to bring that deeper symbolism to life.