Hollywood: The Greatest Showman - Chapter 249: Right time and Right place

Chapter 249: Right time and Right place

The Emmy Awards, Toronto, and Telluride had gone smoothly, making Andy a bit overconfident and full of expectations for Renly’s future. However, the subsequent setbacks with “Horrible Bosses” and “Fast & Furious 5” served as a wake-up call, prompting Andy to readjust his plans.

“Fast & Furious 5” was indeed a good opportunity, but if the focus was on the salary, the most Renly could get would be a million dollars, with a ceiling of 1.2 million. This wasn’t very significant. Even if they missed this project, based on the reputation accumulated from “The Pacific” and “Buried,” Andy could secure a similar level of pay for Renly in any commercial movie, around 800,000 dollars. So, why rush? And why did it have to be “Fast & Furious 5”?

Moreover, Renly took on “Like Crazy” for just a 20,000-dollar salary, which was consistent with what he was paid per episode for “The Pacific.” This showed that salary was not the most important thing for Renly.

So, what was the biggest positive impact of “Fast & Furious 5” for Renly?

Gaining blockbuster experience? Playing the third lead would be too degrading. Proving success in a blockbuster’s box office? If the movie succeeded, people would credit Vin Diesel and Paul Walker. If it failed, they would blame Renly’s casting. Improving acting skills? That was clearly a joke.

Testing the waters of action films to develop Renly’s commercial potential? That was a reason, but not enough.

In Andy’s view, the most important role of “Fast & Furious 5” was exposure and recognition.

Next, Renly would enter the awards season race. “Buried,” as an independent work with no strong backing, was almost like an orphan with no support, lacking a top producer like George Clooney or Brad Pitt. Without even the Sundance boost, relying solely on Toronto’s buzz to make a mark in the competitive awards season was almost a dream.

But by participating in “Fast & Furious 5,” creating hot topics and attracting more attention, the name “Renly Hall” would become more familiar. Then, coupled with Focus Features’ promotional strategy, a slim chance of success could be won—just a slim chance.

After all, awards season is a PR battle. If people haven’t heard of the film or the actor, how can they vote for them? In the era of information explosion, the quiet elegance of waiting for good wine to attract customers is long gone.

So, if “Fast & Furious 5” couldn’t bring this attention to Renly, Andy thought it would be better to reject the project and make a different choice. There was no need to rush. As an agent, Andy had to make a more detailed and long-term plan for Renly’s career; he didn’t want to push too hard too soon.

The small incident at Telluride had a significant impact.

“0.5% of the profits,” Andy said slowly, clearly having thought it through, “Also, Renly must be treated as the third lead, participating in all promotional activities, meaning premieres in various locations, talk shows, and radio programs. Additionally, his position in photos, both magazine and premiere photos, and press conferences.”

Hollywood’s system is very mature, complete, and intricate, especially when discussing actors—

While filming, whether they have a private trailer, how many makeup artists, costume designers, and assistants are on their team, whether there’s a chair with their name on it on set, and whether travel expenses are reimbursed…

During promotions, whether they attend every promotional event, and where they stand if they do. Official photos and their positions in them—angles of the shots, their position at press conferences, the right to refuse programs, the length and weight of magazine interviews, the accompanying team, sponsored promotional outfits…

Once the film is completed, whether the actor can preview it and have the right to veto their scenes, whether they can modify the script…

The importance of their name in the opening and closing credits, whether the cast list is separate, what position their name appears in, the size and placement of the font, and even whether the background image accompanying their name is different…

All these details distinguish actors into different levels. The bigger the star, the more specific and detailed their demands. Top stars can even demand not to share the stage with certain artists, even by accident during promotions, and these can all be stipulated in the contract.

“Also, the position in the movie credits,” Andy added. “Fast & Furious 5” has a large cast, with nearly ten core roles. Besides the two absolute leads, the competition for position among the other actors will be fierce. Andy had to secure a favorable position for Renly.

While all this was within Neal’s expectations, demanding third lead treatment was reasonable. Neal couldn’t help but admire Andy’s ambition and execution, like a carefully laid net waiting for him to fall into. They thought they had everything under control, but another player was waiting in the wings.

Give up on Renly? Or compromise?

Neal’s mind presented two options again, but this time he didn’t hesitate. “How about this, a million-dollar salary, and third lead treatment.”

0.5% of the box office profits, based on a North American box office of 200 million, would be a million dollars. Neal had no reason to refuse, but the difference was: one is paid as salary, the other as profit sharing. The recognition for Renly would be different.

If it was profit sharing, Renly would bear box office risks—although 0.5% is negligible, the crew’s attitude would be different. During production and promotion, Renly would be given more respect, especially considering the large cast of “Fast & Furious 5.” With Renly’s limited experience, without this safeguard, gaining more respect would be nearly impossible.

Neal knew this, and so did Andy.

“I think third lead treatment is a given,” Andy said unhurriedly, speaking even more slowly than Neal. “But a million-dollar salary isn’t matching the third lead status.”

The role of Hobbs in the script was solidly the third lead, but the low salary didn’t match that. Just like Chris Evans was paid only 600,000 dollars for “Captain America.”

However, Chris had signed a six-film deal with Paramount, ensuring his future with the Captain America role and paving his career path. His lead role treatment was guaranteed.

Andy now aimed to match the third lead treatment. Universal Pictures couldn’t offer Renly 2.5 million, and a million was the cap. So Andy proposed a swap, completely giving up the guaranteed salary, lowering his stance, and replacing it with profit sharing. This ensured Renly’s “low” salary and his third lead status.

Compared to Dwayne Johnson, using Renly was economical and practical.

Neal’s mouth showed a helpless smile. Andy had chosen the perfect time and made a reasonable request, almost challenging the bottom line but without angering anyone. And, of course, there was Steven Spielberg.

“You’re quite ambitious, aren’t you?” The chaotic thoughts turned in Neal’s mind briefly before he calmed down and made a decision.

Andy shrugged and joked, “This is Hollywood. People always say, dream bigger.”

“What about his schedule? We’ll resume filming in Los Angeles in five days.” Neal finally got to the point. They both knew Renly was filming “Like Crazy” now, and if the schedule didn’t match, the discussion was pointless.

Andy glanced at the calendar, recalling, “No problem.” Renly should be back in Los Angeles today to finish the remaining shoot of “Like Crazy.” Five days would be enough.

“I’ll have the lawyer draft the contract and fax it to you.” Without further courtesy, Neal said decisively. Once a decision was made, he would stick to it.

The two exchanged a few polite words and hung up.

But Andy didn’t relax. After the lawyer drafted the contract, they needed to review and add details before sending it back. This back and forth would take two to three days. Andy hadn’t forgotten Neal’s contact with Jason Statham. If Dwayne backed down during these days, it would all be in vain. Until the contract was signed, Andy couldn’t relax.

Thinking it over, Andy made a few calls. His approach was simple: just let Dwayne know Jason had signed with the “Expendables” crew. That would be enough.

Dwayne had held out for so long, with the finish line in sight. If he believed Neal’s move with Jason was a desperate gamble, he would hold on. But if he didn’t believe…

Andy needed Dwayne to think Renly was still in London with no plans to return to Los Angeles anytime soon.