บท 486: As you wish
Fascinating, truly fascinating.
The corner of Renly's eyebrow arched ever so slightly, revealing a keen interest in his eyes.
"Thor", he had almost forgotten about this particular work. Andy had mentioned it once, and now the film was on the verge of release. But these past few months had been a whirlwind for him – first "50/50", followed by his trekking adventure, and then recording his album. The trivial news had slipped through his mind as soon as he heard them.
Chris Hemsworth. Renly pondered for a moment, trying to recall when was the last time he thought about that name. The memory seemed distant, almost hazy, perhaps just before he moved. Then, he remembered the word "f*ck" scrawled on the wall, a rather juvenile act reminiscent of high school. A faint smile tugged at the corner of Renly's lips.
He had thought that Chris, with his personality, would keep the secret of their former roommateship buried deep within him, never to be revealed, let alone the amusing episode involving the casting of "Thor". It appeared that he knew too little about Chris, but that wasn't surprising. After all, he had considered them friends, hadn't he?
"He's already given an answer, haven't you heard? Do I need to provide an answer too? After all, he's the one involved, he should know better." Renly's response was unexpected, devoid of confirmation or denial, and far from mocking. He wore a sincere and genuine expression.
Elliot found himself in a tricky situation. Renly's bright eyes seemed capable of piercing through his facade, exposing his true thoughts. Every time he stood before Renly, he felt this way – uncomfortable and exposed. It was a dreadful sensation.
But Elliot didn't flee from the situation. He forcibly suppressed the urge to turn and leave, continuing with his questioning, "But you're also one of the people involved."
Elliot couldn't help but feel that there was more to the story. Renly's simple words carried a sense of detachment. They weren't enemies, but they weren't friends either. It was more like...strangers. His casual tone made their distance crystal clear. Was it Chris who had an issue, or was it Renly? Elliot wanted to dig deeper, curiosity overcoming his fear, so he chose to stay.
"Were you and Chris really roommates before?" Elliot decided to start from the basics, abandoning the strategies he had used on Chris and adopting a more journalistic approach.
"Yes," Renly admitted frankly but offered no further explanation.
Usually, artists would follow up on this topic by sharing stories from the past. However, Renly stopped there. Elliot felt a tinge of frustration, but then he realized this wasn't a talk show. He couldn't expect more. So, he continued with his questions, "Did you indeed audition for "Thor" back then?"
"No," Renly's response left Elliot bewildered, filled with question marks. Yet, Renly chuckled softly, "I did receive the script, and Kenneth wanted to create a Henry V version of Thor that could earn recognition. It was an affirmation of my talent and an honor. However, I felt I couldn't wield Thor's hammer, so I chose to decline."
A play on words. Thor's hammer, in the comics, could only be lifted by Thor himself, which was the reason he became the God of Thunder after defeating Loki. But here, Renly used it to describe himself as unsuitable for Thor, his subtle humor inviting a smile.
However, at this moment, Elliot had no intention of displaying a smile. "So, did you play a role in Chris becoming Thor, then?"
Renly chuckled softly, "No, not at all. In fact, I lost track of where the script was later on, let alone helping Chris. But I genuinely feel happy for him; he achieved his goal in his own way. That's a good thing."
Something didn't add up. Elliot felt that something was amiss but couldn't quite put his finger on it. Renly maintained his charming gentlemanly demeanor, answering every question with ease. Yet, his ordinary words seemed to carry hidden meaning, and unfortunately, Elliot's mind couldn't keep up; they were about to move on to the next stage.
Bloody Brits.
From British films, television series, and literature, one could tell that their humor was quite unique. They often concealed satire, allusions, metaphors, jests, and banter within their words. Only a select few could catch those references; for most, it was just meaningless talk. Cultural differences, political disparities, and distinct ways of life made British humor even more enigmatic. This led many to believe that British comedy wasn't worth watching. However, the British didn't care. They believed that if you couldn't understand it, so be it. Those who did understand were the ones worth befriending. As for the deeper meanings, they kept those to themselves.
Elliot finally understood what was bothering him deep down: intellectual superiority. He felt as if he couldn't keep up with Renly's thought process. That sense of frustration was truly vexing, just like now.
"As for the specifics of the audition, you'll have to ask the person involved. I'm completely in the dark," Renly said with a smile.
It was a seemingly ordinary sentence, but those bright eyes gently shifted, and a playful, wise glint sparkled within them. Like graceful koi swimming in the depths of a serene pond, they traced elegant arcs, leaving the surface undisturbed, not a single ripple in sight.
Elliot sensed that something was amiss, but he couldn't put his finger on it. He knew there was something wrong here, but he couldn't quite articulate it. This feeling was driving him to the brink of explosion.
Seeing Renly turning to leave once again, Elliot couldn't hold back. He leaped to the next question, "Well, "Fast 5" is about to be released, followed by the official debut of "Thor" the week after. This means you and Chris will face off directly. What are your thoughts on this?"
Elliot couldn't help but take a half-step forward, attempting to close the distance. He suddenly realized that there were two and a half steps between him and Renly – an unusual occurrence for paparazzi. Typically, they'd be glued to the artist, practically face-to-face for interviews. This close, pressing style of questioning often yielded the best answers. But now...
"Chris believes that "Thor" can easily triumph over "Fast 5"," Elliot was driven by intuition to elaborate. He needed to provoke Renly. The clash between Renly and Chris would make for an exciting spectacle. But as he gazed at Renly before him, Elliot felt a slight tremor in his legs. Nevertheless, he pushed forward, "Regarding this upcoming showdown, Chris seems confident of his victory. He sees "Fast 5" as no match, and he believes it will easily outperform in box office numbers. What's your take on this?"
Renly's lips curled ever so slightly, curiosity painted across his face as he countered, "Did Chris really say that?"
Elliot felt a twinge of unease, but there was no turning back now. He had to press on, teeth gritted. "Yes, he thinks you're no competition, clearly brimming with confidence." After a brief pause, Elliot added, "He thinks "Fast 5" is nothing more than a low-budget action movie, essentially a B-movie series. But "Thor" is a highly anticipated commercial blockbuster with a solid financial backing. Universal Pictures scheduled "Fast 5" for the first week of May specifically to avoid the immense pressure of "Thor" in the third week of May."
The latter part of his statement was an industry-wide opinion, not Chris's exact words. However, Elliot, by pausing, created the illusion that it was Chris's statement and continued to sow discord.
Renly's pupils subtly contracted. He knew very well that this was media manipulation at play. Simultaneously, he also understood that someone must be fueling this rivalry. Regardless of how he responded, the showdown between "Fast 5" and "Thor" was inevitable. The release schedule was one reason, as box office battles were customary in the summer season. Furthermore, he was well aware that Chris was nursing a grudge, looking to redeem himself using "Thor" as his ticket to a comeback.
Since this performance had already begun, he had to play his part well. Otherwise, how could the show go on? The real question was, who was using whom for publicity? Who would emerge victorious in this clash of titans remained unknown.
"Hmm, then I'll prepare for battle," Renly's reply was simple but firm, exuding poise and confidence. His words carried an overwhelming sense of dominance. In an instant, this ironclad statement shattered his gentlemanly façade, revealing the posture of an absolute powerhouse. It was nothing short of breathtaking.
Elliot stood there, stunned, watching Renly turn and leave. Renly's figure gradually disappeared behind the gates of Studio Eleven, and it took a while for Elliot to regain his composure. It wasn't until a cold breeze swept by, causing him to shiver, that he realized what had just transpired. Adrenaline surged through him, akin to a fireworks display. He was so exhilarated that he felt like screaming.
There were no detours, no pleasantries, no small talk, and certainly no evasion. Renly had responded with dignity, confidently embracing the challenge. His self-assured and formidable demeanor left no room for doubt - this was a resolute response, a face-off with unwavering confidence. It was a challenge to the challenger.
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