The Greatest Showman #1166 - No One Cares

Looking back a few years ago, shortly after the premiere of War in the Pacific, Andy was optimistic about Renly's future and made a personal visit. He never expected Renly to be so difficult—proud, self-conscious, and incredibly smart. But after a successful meeting at the cottage, Andy managed to sign Renly.

At the time, Andy thought: finally!

Fast forward to today, the contract renewal with Renly seemed almost effortless. In just one phone call, lasting less than thirty seconds, Renly presented a multi-million dollar contract to Andy, solidifying their partnership for the future.

Industry insiders estimate Renly's brokerage contracts are worth anywhere from $10 million to $15 million per year, with some daring to place the value at $20 million.

It's important to note that these figures refer to broker commissions, not Renly's earnings. The top five Hollywood agencies, including Creative Artists Agency, take a 10% cut.

Why is Renly so in demand, even to the point where his current agency is almost stabbed in the back? This explains it.

For Andy, this multi-million-dollar contract isn't just valuable because of the money—it's about the trust Renly places in him. This trust, this friendship, is irreplaceable. Even after years of challenges, Andy still feels deeply moved by it.

After the renewal, Renly's first project was Drunken Country Ballads. Although Renly jokingly said the fee was just $500,000 and the agency didn't care much about the project, Andy knew the situation was different.

Renly's contract renewal had transformed Andy's standing within the agency. Everyone recognized it wasn't just about the numbers—it was about Renly's trust, much like Johnny Depp's trust in Tracy Jacobs. Moving forward, as long as Renly continues to succeed, Andy's position will be rock-solid. Long-term success outweighs short-term gains.

That's why Andy confidently spoke of the potential of becoming a company partner in the near future.

Moreover, Drunken Country Ballads wasn't just another project.

On one hand, Renly's collaboration with the Coen Brothers was highly anticipated. This marked Renly's second collaboration with top directors—after Alfonso Cuarón—and further cemented his rising stability in the industry. Regardless of the film's final outcome, the alliance was promising for his future.

On the other hand, Andy had long seen that Renly was eager to join this project. Over the past six months, Andy had maintained close communication with the Coen Brothers, facilitating the collaboration—ultimately ensuring Renly's involvement.

This is called cooperation. Andy used every available resource to ensure Renly's wish came true. It wasn't about the monetary value—it was about the partnership.

Thus, after wrapping Gravity, Renly was set to transition into Drunken Country Ballads. The wait was over—Renly would soon fly from the UK to New York, and filming could begin at any moment.

While January sees many independent films entering production, it's not typical in Hollywood. The busiest period of the year—awards season—occupies everyone's attention. The Coen Brothers, however, were ready to dive in. For them, this year's awards season held no significance, and they wanted to work with Renly regardless.

By mid-January, as the Golden Globes loomed closer, The Hollywood Reporter broke the news:

"The first collaboration between Renly Hall and the Coen Brothers has been confirmed."

The article confirmed that Renly, after finishing Gravity, would move straight to New York for pre-production and rehearsals for Drunken Country Ballads. Alongside Renly, the final cast included Carey Mulligan, Justin Timberlake, John Goodman, and Garrett Hedlund. Filming would begin the following week.

This was big news.

The Coen Brothers are known for attracting well-established stars—George Clooney, Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Catherine Zeta-Jones—actors who are industry icons. This time, Renly joined an already star-studded ensemble, completing the puzzle.

The buzz surrounding the cast made Drunken Country Ballads one of the most anticipated films of the year. The Hollywood Reporter covered the news extensively, giving it top-tier treatment.

However, amidst the frenzy of awards season, the news barely made a ripple. For the public, an indie film's cast announcement wasn't exactly groundbreaking. The real drama was in the race for Best Picture between Argo and Lincoln.

For those within the industry, the Coen Brothers-Renly collaboration had sparked attention. While the current awards season remained in full swing, many had already mentally bookmarked next year's awards season, where this project would surely feature prominently.

This wasn't entirely surprising. Awards season generates massive commercial buzz, but with Renly out of the spotlight for most of the year, the news seemed to vanish without a trace. The public had shifted its focus, leaving Renly's new project to slip quietly into the background.

For Renly, this was actually a blessing.

First, Drunken Country Ballads could proceed without unnecessary distractions. Second, Renly could enjoy a much-needed break—something he desperately needed after a non-stop year.

When Renly arrived at London Heathrow, he did so with little fanfare. Dressed down in a wool hat, he slipped through the crowds unnoticed, boarding the flight back to New York without causing a stir.