"Eaton, thank you for coming all the way today," Daisy's cheerful voice broke the brief silence. "Actually, you could have just sent the clothes here today, no need to come in person..." Daisy's steps halted nearby, and her gaze fell upon a few individuals, her face lighting up with delight. "Have you already met? These are today's protagonists, Renly Hall, and this is Edith Hall, in charge of today's photography."
After the introductions, Daisy glanced at Edith and Renly, playfully remarking, "You two aren't secretly related, are you?" It hadn't occurred to her before, but now she realized that both of them shared the same surname, Hall.
Edith's tongue froze in her mouth, but Renly remained remarkably composed. He smiled at Edith, seemingly assessing her, and then turned to Daisy. "I might need to consult the family tree for that, it's quite an extensive project, but perhaps there will be some revelations." It was a light-hearted tease, neither confirming nor denying, redirecting the conversation and making Daisy burst into laughter.
Standing to the side, Eaton caught on as well. His gaze swept back and forth between the people, and he chuckled. Sensing Daisy's inquisitive look, Eaton explained, "This isn't the first time Renly and I have met. I was responsible for his attire at the previous Golden Globe Awards." He winked discreetly at Renly, as if to say, "How did I do?"
"Oh, in that case, today's collaboration is even more promising," Daisy nodded in approval. "Edith, have you two discussed everything? What's the theme for today's shoot? Now that Eaton is here, you can resolve any questions or communication issues face-to-face. How many outfits are we planning to shoot today?"
"I've prepared twenty-four outfits. Earlier in our email exchange, we confirmed that the theme for today is "men", right?" Eaton thought back to their previous email communication, which had been conducted through their respective assistants. He had always forgotten to ask for the photographer's name, which led to today's unexpected surprise.
Edith nodded in confirmation, while Renly stood by, his expression passive. He had long grown accustomed to this situation in the realm of photography. Edith never really sought his opinion, and even when she did, she often disregarded it. From childhood to adulthood, Renly had slowly adapted.
"I have two concepts in mind right now," Edith's eyes brightened, and excitement filled her features. "One is about men and cars, rugged men covered in oil, working with tools. The other is about men in a post-apocalyptic world, struggling to survive amidst dust storms and raw nature."
Eaton struggled to suppress a laugh; he knew Edith was once again indulging in her mischievous tendencies, aiming to use all her bold ideas and experiments on Renly. When Eaton had first seen Renly as Edith's model during their school days, he had been utterly dumbfounded, his eyeballs nearly falling to the ground. According to Edith's ideas, today Renly might end up rolling in the mud.
Edith wore an understanding expression as she patted Renly's shoulder. "I still hope to showcase your unique charm and give the public a fresh perspective. Just like this project, that overwhelming masculine allure truly catches the eye." Her considerate expression, as Renly saw it, seemed more like a cat crying over a mouse.
Indeed.
"One more concept, what do you think of homeless men in a New York subway station?" Edith's eyes sparkled as she looked at Renly. "Those rough, primal, unrefined men, like wandering poets, with stubble on their faces, looking dirty yet incredibly heart-throbbing."
Eaton stood by, mentally envisioning the scene. Truth be told, he had never seen Renly quite like this before, and he felt a subtle sense of anticipation. But before he could react, he noticed Renly's sharp gaze, seemingly catching a glimpse of his slightly upturned mouth and sparkling eyes. Eaton couldn't help but clear his throat softly and turned his attention elsewhere, pretending that nothing had happened.
"Today, you're the boss, so naturally, we'll follow your lead," Renly said casually, but the slight twitch in the corner of his eye filled Edith with joy, prompting her to hum a tune.
Daisy, who stood nearby, couldn't help but sense that something was amiss in the atmosphere, though she couldn't quite put her finger on it. Subconsciously, she thought that Renly might be dissatisfied with the shooting style, but Edith had become a big name in the industry now, and since she had made the final decision, Daisy didn't want to overturn it. To be honest, Daisy was looking forward to Renly's suit style as well.
Edith turned to Eaton and asked, "So, the styling is in your hands. These clothes are going to get dirty today. Is that okay?"
"Of course," Eaton readily nodded and then turned to Renly. "You should have breakfast first. We have plenty of time."
Afterward, Eaton, Edith, and Daisy temporarily left the area, giving Renly a moment of leisure to tend to his breakfast. He held a cup of coffee, savoring the rich aroma and enjoying a peaceful morning.
The warehouse gradually buzzed with activity as the staff busied themselves for the upcoming shoot. Occasionally, a staff member would approach Renly, warmly greeting him, and sometimes expressing admiration. The entire studio was filled with a cheerful and pleasant atmosphere, making everyone feel uplifted even before getting into work mode.
From a distance, Renly could see a small mountain of clothes slowly moving towards him. No one was visible on either side, as if it was being controlled remotely. The layers of clothing looked quite spectacular. Upon closer inspection, he could see that it was a tall gantry crane, adorned with a dazzling array of clothing, from suits to pants to outerwear. It seemed as if the gantry crane was about to burst from the sheer volume.
As Renly got closer, he finally spotted the figure pushing the gantry crane from behind, which was presumably Eaton's assistant. Eaton quickly caught up and then noticed Renly's astonishment in his eyes. He couldn't help but chuckle. "I heard that I'm selecting outfits for your first magazine cover, and many brands have approached me with sponsorship offers. It's the first time I've realized that your name is more valuable than mine."
Eaton's words were not an exaggeration.
As one of the hottest male actors this summer, Renly had truly become immensely popular. His stunning appearance, outstanding charisma, and unique charm had attracted attention from all quarters. His sensational appearance on the red carpet at the beginning of the year's Golden Globe Awards had left a deep impression on many, and since then, George Wilkes had become a household name. The latest news was that George had secured a sponsorship deal and was preparing to launch his own fashion brand, generating considerable anticipation in the fashion industry.
With his outstanding image, exceptional temperament, and undeniable charisma, any brand would eagerly seek collaboration with such a celebrity. It was a tremendous asset for any brand's image. It wasn't merely endorsement; it surpassed it.
So, before Eaton could extend an invitation, the fashion world had already mobilized. Various major brands had proactively approached him, hoping that Eaton would use their clothing. In just five short months, from the Golden Globe Awards to the summer season, things had changed dramatically, and the treatment had become worlds apart.
Hollywood's glamorous allure, which captivated countless souls, was gradually unfolding before Renly's eyes.
"In the back, we have shoes, hats, jewelry, and various accessories. I've mobilized all the resources I have on hand. Honestly, I'm very much looking forward to today's shoot," Eaton said with a beaming smile. For a stylist, creating a perfect image with their vision and hands, capturing it in photographs, was a source of fulfillment.
Renly turned his head slightly and glanced at the spectacular gantry crane behind Eaton. "Our mission today is to dirty these clothes, and maybe even tear and damage them?" He curled his lips slightly, hinting at a mischievous streak. "I think I can handle it. Let's wreak some havoc!"
With the theme settled, outfits selected, makeup completed, and clothing changes made, all the warehouse's staff members entered high gear, officially launching today's shoot.
In a way, photography and acting were akin. During a photoshoot, models needed to incorporate some basic acting skills, infusing emotions and expressions to capture the most essential and thrilling moments. Specific themes, especially, required the model's performance. The difference between top models and ordinary ones lay right here.
"More power, I need more power..." Edith's voice echoed continuously, and her camera shutter continued to click. "Like in a movie, your showdown with Vin Diesel, that kind of ferocity, that dominance, release all of it. Give me a burst of testosterone, depict a scene where every woman falls for you."
This...
Renly couldn't help but halt his actions, giving Edith a wordless side-eye. What did she mean by "every woman falls for you"? Could she demonstrate it for him?
Edith absolutely wouldn't admit that her earlier words were a prank. She was such a dedicated and professional photographer, how could she casually joke around? But the smile at the corner of her mouth was on the verge of collapsing. She had to bite her lip tightly to avoid bursting into laughter. Clearing her throat, she continued with a straight face.
"Don't stop, our shoot is still ongoing. Continue!" Watching Renly's bewildered expression, Edith's voice became even more cheerful. Could she control herself? Not really. "Imagine, The Lion King, yes, The Lion King, the ruler of the savanna. Roar toward the sun, exude your dominance, let all your emotions out. The whole world bows down at your feet. Think of Simba in "The Lion King"."
Originally, the photoshoot had been a serious and solemn affair, but after Edith's remark, it suddenly took on a comical tone. Renly was left utterly baffled, opening his mouth but unsure how to respond.
Just then, a large gust of wind blew a cloud of sand directly onto Renly's face. It pelted his cheeks, eyes, nose, and mouth, leaving nothing spared. It truly embodied the art of having "eaten a mouthful of sand," as if this place were not a decrepit warehouse in Brooklyn, New York, but the Sahara Desert.
Renly closed his eyes, standing still, looking utterly bewildered.
Desolation and abandonment stretched as far as the eye could see—barren, broken earth, parched and cracked soil, and a sky tinged with blood. In the midst of this desolate wasteland, a man, covered in oil and dust, walked alone. His robust form stood tall against the scorching and brutal sun. He dragged his long shadow along the ground, and the silent desolation spread beneath his ginger-colored boots. His resolute, weathered brow slightly furrowed, his eyes burst with wild abandon and recklessness. He raised his left hand restlessly, roughly ruffling his unruly hair. In every gesture, a surge of hormones exploded, bearing traces of fierceness, coarseness, and ruthlessness.
In the moment he raised his gaze, his eyes, as tangible as a sharp blade, charged forward, slicing through the camera lens. Transitioning from motion to stillness and then back to motion, this lifelike moment brought each pixel into vivid existence.
"Great! Excellent!" Edith shouted enthusiastically, but her camera shutter never ceased its frantic clicking, resounding through the photography studio.
She knew that Renly needed to move, to exert himself, for it was in breaking the boundaries of dimensions that his allure shone. If they merely attempted to confine Renly within the frame of film, he would appear like a bookworm. Under the lens, Renly was both familiar and unfamiliar. Inspiration continued to surge within Edith's mind, and she reveled in this moment.
Renly, rare as it was, momentarily lost control of his temper. He gritted his teeth, furious at himself for his outburst.
Why had he lost his temper just now? How could he lose it again? It wasn't the first time working with Edith, and he had fallen for her tricks again! Edith had blatantly aimed to provoke him, and he had lost control like an idiot. He knew for sure that he should never let Edith be his photographer. Collaborating with someone who knew him so well was riddled with vulnerabilities.
Then Edith noticed Renly's dilated pupils. She couldn't help but shiver as a dangerous aura emanated from him. Only she knew that Renly was not an angel; he was a demon who should never be provoked easily.
Should she just give up?
The thought of hesitating had barely crossed her mind when Edith clenched her teeth. Regardless of the situation, since they had already started and had come this far, they had to complete a shoot that was worth it. Otherwise, it would be too much of a disadvantage. "A bit more, be more masculine, fiercer! Yes, you are a man! You are the last man on Earth!"
When Chris Evans entered the photography studio, he witnessed this scene. Renly, covered in dust and wearing tattered clothes, his piercing gaze shooting through, exuded a terrifying aura mixed with male hormones. It was overwhelming, and even as a man himself, Chris felt somewhat uneasy.
Involuntarily, Chris slowed his pace, observing the red-hot sensation of the top star who had been in the limelight for the past two months. The taste on his tongue was complex, a mixture of emotions. Although the "Thor" film crew was still working hard on its publicity, and Paramount maintained an optimistic stance publicly, Chris knew that "Thor" was beyond recovery, even on the brink of complete collapse. Combined with the disappointing premiere of "X-Men: First Class", not only Paramount but also other film companies were beginning to grow cautious.
If "Thor" had been affected by word of mouth and its box office performance had been less than satisfactory, it could be somewhat understood. However, the fact that "X-Men: First Class" had garnered positive reviews but still lost out at the box office left everyone scratching their heads.
Even industry insiders couldn't discern whether it was because audiences had lost interest in comic book superheroes, or if the film's content and positioning were problematic, or perhaps the marketing had failed to capture the audience's attention. Naturally, subsequent comic book adaptations felt the weight of this pressure.
As the lead actor in "Captain America", Chris Evans had been suffering from insomnia for two consecutive weeks. He was constantly on edge, his nerves were sensitive, and he felt weakened. He couldn't even find a way to release his pent-up emotions.
Compared to "Thor", the pressure on "Captain America" was already greater. Firstly, "Thor" had Natalie and Anthony, two top-tier stars leading the way, while all the focus in "Captain America" was on Chris himself. Chris was not a newcomer; "Fantastic Four" had propelled him out of the confines of campus comedy and into the A-list, but the failure of "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer" had sent him back to square one. "Captain America" marked his second foray into the world of superheroes, and almost all media outlets were eager to see his performance: would he succeed or fail?
Secondly, "Thor" faced a challenging release schedule. The previous week had been dominated by the conclusion of the "Harry Potter" series, and the following week would see competition from three movies, including the high-budget productions "Cowboys & Aliens" and "The Smurfs," the former of which had an even higher budget than "Captain America." There was also the low-budget comedy "Crazy, Stupid, Love" in the mix. In short, Paramount, according to its original plan, didn't have high hopes for the prospects of "Captain America" because, compared to Thor, Captain America's personal charm wasn't enough to attract the audience.
Thirdly... "Thor" had failed, "X-Men: First Class" had failed, "Kung Fu Panda 2" had failed, and even "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" had been disappointing. It seemed that the summer blockbuster season this year wasn't receptive to commercial films; they were all struggling. Even "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" was feeling the pressure, let alone "Captain America".
Chris didn't know what he could do; he could only throw himself wholeheartedly into his work. The promotional campaign for "Captain America" had evidently picked up pace, with Paramount increasing its promotional budget, hoping the movie could carve out a path for itself. The only thing Chris could do was cooperate actively. He even began to wonder if accepting the role of Steve Rogers had been a mistake.
Today's shoot for Vanity Fair was an added, last-minute item on his schedule. Clearly, there had been a communication breakdown, as he had arrived at the location before the previous shoot had concluded. Under normal circumstances, such a mistake would never occur, but it seemed that Paramount's publicity department was in disarray.
Furthermore, the subject being photographed at this moment was Renly.
Personally, Chris had neither a positive nor negative perception of Renly because, prior to "Fast 5", he had never even heard of him.
"The Pacific", "Buried", "Like Crazy", these works had generated quite a buzz in the news, but Chris had never watched them, so he had no way to judge. In fact, when he learned from the news that Renly had been absent from the Oscars, he had a certain degree of admiration for him. Such actors were truly rare in Hollywood. Even the former bad boy, Sean Penn, always maintained a proper demeanor in front of the Academy.
Today was the first time Chris had met Renly face-to-face, and it happened in such an unexpected manner that all the images he had seen of Renly in magazines and newspapers were completely overturned. Renly's formidable and aggressive presence had been imprinted deeply in his mind, like a branding mark. He realized that the photo shoot had ended only when he watched Renly approaching him, but it was too late to avoid the situation.
So, what should he do now? How should he react? Were they now enemies or adversaries? Did they need to exchange icy glares? Or should he pretend not to recognize Renly and simply ignore him?
As he pondered, Chris saw Renly's lips curve into a polite smile, and he nodded in greeting, "Good afternoon." There was no tension in the air, no glaring, just a courteous greeting as if a spring breeze had arrived.
"...Good afternoon." Chris felt himself hesitate for a moment and then instinctively replied, forcing a smile as his only reaction. However, he suspected that his smile must have looked terrifying at this moment, perhaps even worse than crying.
Then Chris noticed Renly coming to a stop, a hint of surprise in his eyes, clearly not anticipating this situation. The elegant demeanor juxtaposed with the dirty appearance created a unique harmony, a departure from the dominant and forceful presence during the photoshoot. In his mind, Chris began to imagine what Renly, the federal agent from "Fast 5", might really be like.
"You didn't bring your shield today." This was Renly's response, and Chris stood there dumbfounded for a moment before he saw Renly chuckle lightly. "Or should I say, are you feeling a bit fiery today?" The implication being, are you Captain America or the Human Torch?
"Pfft." Chris couldn't help but burst into laughter directly. He opened his mouth, attempting to banter back and offer an explanation, but his mind went blank. In the end, he dryly replied, "Captain America". It was such a boring response that the previously humorous atmosphere dissipated instantly.
Renly nodded with a smile. "My work here is done. It's all yours from here." With that, Renly turned and walked away.
Chris opened his mouth again, trying to say something, but nothing came out. He watched Renly's departing figure and felt like a complete fool. He was at a loss, completely incapable of responding. It was truly embarrassing. He could have performed better; he should have performed better.
Wasn't "Fast 5" supposed to be their rivalry? Yet, this was their first meeting, not intense or confrontational, no undercurrents, just a friendly greeting? And he had acted like a recent college graduate? If he remembered correctly, Renly was much younger than him! This was...
Chris couldn't help but cover his face in frustration and let out a groan of annoyance.
Do you think this Chris will join the Renly camp? Or will he team up with the other Chris? Also, he is definitely here for a reason...
"Like Crazy" - "Unleashed"
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