บท 487: A storm is brewing
"Bang, "Fast 5" vs. "Thor", the summer blockbuster showdown, is on the brink!"
Such a sensational headline swiftly seized the throne of internet hot topics. In less than twelve hours, it had already garnered over a million views and had been reposted more than three thousand times. It was as if it had conquered the Google 24-hour real-time keyword search rankings at an astonishing pace, with its impact on the top spot being visibly rapid.
This news headline was like a tornado, sweeping through the entirety of North America!
With the rise of the internet age, emerging media outlets began to showcase a trend of competing for attention, employing increasingly shocking, stimulating, and terrifying headlines. However, the actual intensity of the news content often left much to be desired. Such news was commonly referred to as "clickbait", a phenomenon not limited to any specific country but prevalent worldwide.
Yet, every time people encountered these explosive headlines, curiosity compelled them to click and read. Moreover, this time it wasn't just any news; it was in Hollywood's prestigious Vanity Fair section. The topic itself was the highly anticipated summer box office clash - how could anyone afford to miss it?
Within the report, Vanity Fair vividly depicted the trials and tribulations between Renly and Chris: they had started as roommates, but their paths diverged due to the movie "Thor", leading to an unexpected parting of ways. Subsequently, both embarked on vastly different career trajectories.
Renly, with his outstanding acting skills, had already become an iconic figure among the new generation of actors. Meanwhile, Chris, leveraging his striking appearance and taking up the mantle of Thor's hammer, had ascended to the pinnacle of commercial blockbusters.
Between the lines, Vanity Fair did not explicitly state that the two had fallen out or had a feud; instead, it subtly hinted at their relationship. It was conveyed in such a way that, though not explicitly stated, it was hard for readers not to draw their own conclusions. And this was far from over.
"Chris believes that "Thor" can easily triumph over "Fast 5"." The article quoted Chris's words, describing it as follows: "When asked by reporters about the upcoming showdown between "Fast 5" and "Thor", Chris exuded confidence, displaying an air of assuredness and anticipation. He is convinced of his victory."
On the other hand, the article also mentioned Renly's response: "During the conversation with reporters, Renly briefly reminisced, a hint of nostalgia flashing in his eyes, yet he refrained from revealing more of the story. However, when it comes to his first foray into the summer box office, Renly's demeanor remains remarkably composed. Having undergone the filming of "50/50", Renly, currently on vacation, presents an attitude of unruffled composure."
Even from the reporter's tone, it was apparent that they leaned more toward supporting Renly. A quick glance at the reporter's name made it easy to understand the situation - Daisy Lucas, the journalist who initially covered "The Pacific", had always held a strong affinity for Renly, a fact not unknown within the media industry.
"However, when facing competition, Renly still exudes the demeanor of a great general. Clearly, he has high expectations for the prospects of "Fast 5". "You want a war? Then I shall give you a war, as you wish," said Renly."
At the end of this article, Daisy employed typical journalistic techniques and stated objectively, "Chris Hemsworth declined to comment further on the brief period of their roommate friendship."
On the surface, this seemed like a straightforward statement with no discernible bias. However, when combined with the content of the entire article and the descriptions of both parties' attitudes, the reader's perception would naturally sway slightly, forming judgments. This is the so-called effect of media influence, subtly nudging things in the direction the reporter desired, all while remaining unnoticed.
Clearly, the headline from Vanity Fair was a direct quote from Renly, "You want a war? Then I shall give you a war, as you wish." This statement spread rapidly across the internet.
Many netizens disliked Renly's domineering and forceful manner of expression, believing that Chris was the weaker party, and Renly was actively seeking confrontation. Renly's arrogant and self-important attitude evoked memories of recent publicity stunts, and malicious speculation about sensationalizing the situation began to take root once more.
Some thought Renly came across as arrogant and disrespectful, believing that he had changed his image. Initially, he had attracted a small fan base after the Golden Globe Awards red carpet appearance, but now, the contrast was stark. Accusations of inconsistency and pretense abounded.
Ultimately, Renly's fan base was still relatively shallow, making it susceptible to switching allegiances in the face of negative news. However, this time was different. Vanity Fair subtly hinted throughout the article, emphasizing that Chris initiated this conflict, which led to Renly's response.
As a result, more netizens began to condemn Chris for his ignorance and arrogance. He hadn't achieved anything substantial yet had started a feud. His overconfident demeanor was particularly irksome, especially when coupled with Chris's imposing physique, easily drawing comparisons to high school quarterbacks who enjoyed bullying or basketball team captains.
Many of these netizens were genuinely devoted to supporting Renly, and their loyalty was apparent.
Led by the fervent Brandomania, they staunchly emphasized Renly's stance: he was an actor wholeheartedly dedicated to his craft, with no interest in extraneous news. If it weren't for Chris intentionally provoking him, Renly wouldn't have bothered to respond. The fact that Renly had completely vanished from the media spotlight in the past two months was the best proof of his dedication to his work.
These fans expressed their indignation, accusing Chris of maliciously stoking controversy and attempting to exploit Renly's popularity and headlines to generate more attention.
Brandomania's fervent supporters were particularly impassioned, stating, "Renly deliberately avoided media attention and wholeheartedly immersed himself in his work, away from the disruptions of the limelight. Yet, now someone is deliberately using Renly to fuel their publicity, and there are still a group of ridiculous idiots who think Renly is maliciously promoting himself! Get lost! Can we please give Renly some peace and quiet?"
However, "Fast 5" may not have had an extensive history, but the previous four installments had already gathered a substantial fanbase. Chris's attitude had infuriated this group of fans. They were highly dissatisfied with his grandiose statements, especially considering that "Thor" wasn't even a popular character in the Marvel Comics series. If it weren't for Paramount's adaptation, almost all non-comic enthusiasts would have never heard of this character. Now, Chris dared to boast that "Thor" could easily defeat "Fast 5", which was perceived as overestimating his capabilities.
Whether one supported Chris, Renly, "Thor", or "Fast 5", there was no denying that after the publication of this article by Vanity Fair, the entire North America was in uproar. In an instant, all eyes were directed towards it.
After a month of quiet following the Oscars, the gossip mill was once again churning due to the upcoming summer. All sorts of people and topics came to the forefront of discussions. Within just twenty-four hours, the news began to spread like wildfire. It seemed as though all of North America was in turmoil, which was quite abnormal.
Under ordinary circumstances, Chris was merely a newcomer in the acting world. Prior to this, his only notable appearance was in "Star Trek", and over 99% of the population didn't recognize him. While the relentless promotion of "Thor" in the past few months had made Chris somewhat recognizable, his influence remained limited until the film was actually released, let alone his appeal.
So, why did Chris's words cause such a seismic reaction?
The reasons weren't complicated. First, it was the summer box office season. Second, it was "Thor". Third, no one could deny that Renly had been one of the hottest topics in all of North America for the past six months. Imagine, even at the Oscars, this newcomer had captured everyone's attention. This was an extraordinarily rare achievement.
The right timing, the right place, the right way, and the right topic had all combined to create this effect.
Of course, the number of people behind the scenes pushing this narrative—whether it was Morgan Fisher, Universal Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Disney, or even Andy Rogers—remained unknown. However, one thing was certain: Vanity Fair had indeed played a role in stirring the pot.
The storm was gradually taking shape.
In the eye of the storm, Chris Hemsworth wouldn't just sit idly by. Journalists immediately flocked to him, and he promptly responded, claiming that it was all a misunderstanding. "Renly and I are friends, very good friends."
As he looked at the bustling crowd before him, at least thirty journalists surrounded him, forming an impenetrable circle. The driveway leading to the apartment complex's entrance was completely blocked, rendering it impassable. All the cameras and eyes were fixed on him. Those shining eyes were filled with anticipation, curiosity, exploration, scrutiny, and contemplation, unwavering and intensely focused.
In that moment, Chris had a strange feeling, as though he were the center of the world. A spotlight shone upon him, and the gazes from every corner of the world converged on him. The bright flashes illuminated his skin, warm and inviting, making his goosebumps dance involuntarily. He tried to suppress the smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, but the joy and excitement between his brows couldn't be contained and were undeniable.
"Yes, we are friends," Chris reiterated. "We've spent our formative years together."
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