章節 268: The winner takes the cake

Appalling! Truly appalling!

Renly's performance was sinister, powerful, and inexplicably extraordinary. It carried a wild and dominant madness, stirring the entire scene and leaving everyone shivering. The coldness could be felt in their souls, and goosebumps covered their skin, one after another, unstoppable.

Is that really an FBI agent?

Hobbs was a traditional FBI agent—upright, righteous, and straightforward. He initially abhorred the actions of Brian and Dominic and was determined to apprehend them. However, Hobbs later learned about Brian and Dominic's style of modern-day Robin Hood-like criminals, and he decided to let them go.

It can be said that fundamentally, Hobbs and Brian were of the same kind. Their character settings and profiles were somewhat similar. By the seventh installment, even though Hobbs was still an FBI agent, he had collaborated with Brian and Dominic and had embarked on a path similar to Brian's.

However, "Fast 5" was a commercial film that didn't require fully developed characters. It was enough for each character to showcase their own characteristics and play their roles well. While Hobbs and Brian's roles had some overlaps, that wasn't an issue. The casting of Dwayne Johnson, an actor with a unique style, naturally distinguished the two characters. It's just that plans can't always keep up with changes.

Now, Renly had bestowed an incredible personal charisma upon Hobbs.

Decisive, towering, and unyielding, he effortlessly seized the initiative in a few words. Even while encircled, his unwavering determination and imperturbability exuded an absolute dominance, evoking a submissive air. Yet, he wasn't a straightforward, righteous character. His unpredictable, enigmatic, and unscrupulous ways endowed him with an entirely different charm. His ambivalent character instantly made the storyline unpredictable.

As soon as Hobbs appeared, he easily gained control in the showdown against Dominic. Even under suppression, he achieved an astonishingly absolute dominance. His cunning negotiation rhythm left Dominic, who was always straightforward, struggling to cope. Later on, Dominic and Brian managed to regain the upper hand due to their numerical advantage, but Hobbs' resolute determination and sarcastic mockery allowed him to regain control. Amidst over two hundred people in the encirclement, he calmly withdrew.

This... This was truly an exquisite spectacle; every cell in their bodies was screaming with excitement!

In that scene just now, Renly radiated an intense brilliance from head to toe, captivating everyone's attention. Every detail, every movement, every gaze, every line was brimming with strength and resonance. It truly infused the character with a soul. His powerful presence easily commanded the pace of everyone's performance, creating a breathtaking and suffocating intensity. It was a brilliance that could be missed with every blink, firmly grasping each person's heartbeat.

Contrast highlights disparities.

In the face of Renly's performance, Vin's acting immediately showed countless flaws. His lines lacked variation, maintaining a consistent tone throughout. His emotional expressions were too monotonous, lacking confidence. His eye contact was too anxious, revealing his inner unease. The entire performance felt too oily, too superficial, too thin. Not to mention enduring scrutiny, even Dominic's state at the time wasn't expressed well enough. The line "This is... Brazil" was exaggerated, resembling the antics of a clown trying to please the crowd.

Originally, it was meant to be a duel between titans, but it turned into a one-man show.

Fortunately, Justin had foresight and had Brian step in as a substitute. Brian's entrance was an impromptu change, so there were no added lines for him. However, his presence and physical prowess balanced the scales, preventing an overwhelmingly one-sided situation.

Luckily, this was a commercial film, where acting skills weren't subjected to more demanding standards. Vin's previous performance barely passed muster, especially if he didn't mind having all the spotlight stolen by Renly. However, on second thought, even if Vin did mind, what could he do about it?

But, is this really alright?

Renly's performance just now didn't resemble an FBI agent at all. Instead, he seemed more like the Joker from "The Dark Knight". That unpredictable and audacious demeanor, which went against the norm, bore a striking resemblance. It's just that Hobbs didn't possess the reckless, morally ambiguous madness of the Joker. Yet, the undeniable personal charm of both characters was present!

In that case, would the subsequent plot still make sense? Would Hobbs still let Brian and Dominic go due to their loyalty? Would the confrontation between the two sides culminate in Brian and Dominic's victory? Would the plot's coherence and progression still be convincing?

Of course, commercial films don't demand strict plausibility in their plots. However, even if we set aside the plot, is this kind of Hobbs really acceptable? An FBI agent displaying qualities straddling justice and villainy, making it impossible to distinguish whether he's a hero or a villain? Is this highly charismatic Hobbs, who breaks free from the confines of the agent's role, really acceptable? He showcases a potent allure akin to James Bond from "007", captivating the entire audience with just one scene?

Is this really acceptable?

"Of course not!" Vin had completely lost it. Disregarding any harmony within the production team, he directly shouted at Justin, "What does he think this is? An amusement park? Holding a gun to his own head? What kind of ludicrous performance is this? Exaggerated, ridiculous, laughable, shameless, despicable, foolish, absurd!"

Vin's emotions had completely spiraled out of control. Before leaving, Hobbs had even threatened Dominic's life, and what's more, Vin had genuinely felt the fear of a blade at his own throat. He no longer cared about his personal image, pouring out his anger unreservedly. Since breaking through directly wasn't possible, he would exercise his authority, using his position as a producer to demand the deletion of the scene or commanding Renly to change his performance.

"He's an agent! An FBI agent! Not a circus clown! He's certainly not performing "The Dark Knight". He looks utterly ridiculous! If he wants to perform, he should go to Broadway! What's he doing in Hollywood? Making himself appear as if someone's raped him and forced him to come perform here! This is a commercial film; we should employ commercial film acting methods. What on earth is the meaning of this superfluous performance?"

Vin didn't name names, but his words, explicit and implicit, tore his facade apart completely, venting his entire rage unabashedly at Justin.

"Vin..." Justin managed to start, his voice barely out, before Vin interrupted him again, a torrent of fury with no end in sight.

Alfred stood among the crowd of extras, everyone eagerly watching this spectacle unfold before them, commenting on the numerous conflicts within the "Fast 5" production team. It seemed Vin was too conceited, forcing the entire crew to revolve around him, oblivious to the overall quality of the movie. The scene was getting worse and worse.

However, compared to gossip, people were more impressed by Renly's performance just now. "Alfred, that guy's performance was really something! Don't you think so? Yeah, yeah, my eyes went wide open, I even forgot he was holding a gun! Unbelievable, one person completely suppressed two others. I feel like if I stood against him, I'd probably wet myself."

"His name is Renly," Alfred replied.

"Right, right, I remember. He's the young master from "The Pacific". I've seen his performances. Truly excellent!"

Vin was still raging against Justin, but everyone on set had eyes. There was no need for explanation; anyone present could feel the stark contrast and the clear distinction. Now, while Vin was relentlessly complaining, everyone else around was chattering and talking about Renly's outstanding performance.

Alfred knew Vin's protest was merely a last-ditch effort. He believed that even with a different approach, Renly could easily achieve that crushing dominance. The current question was: could Renly withstand Vin in a genuine physical confrontation? If Vin was seeking revenge, how would Renly respond?

Justin felt like a small boat tossed in a storm, barely resisting, almost defenseless. He couldn't even find the right opportunity to express his opinion. Vin was venting all of his frustration without restraint.

"Vin, you're just being unreasonable now!" Paul rushed over, interrupting Vin's tirade.

Vin turned his head, glaring at Paul, his bloodshot eyes resembling an irrational bull. "Back off, Paul! I promise you, if you get involved, I'll break your arm straight off!" Now, Vin no longer cared about anything else. He just wanted to release all of his humiliation, or else he might explode on the spot. Even Paul wasn't taken seriously by him now.

Paul wasn't someone who liked stirring up trouble. If he could, he'd stay as far away as possible from disputes and gossip. This was also why he declined the offer to be a producer. He knew that being a producer meant more power and rewards, but it also meant more responsibility and conflicts. However, if trouble came knocking on his door, Paul wouldn't easily back down.

"Give it a try!" Paul didn't hesitate at all; he retorted directly, even stepping forward, escalating the tense atmosphere to an even higher level, on the brink of an eruption.

Vin strode forward without backing down, using his chest to forcefully collide with Paul, refusing to continue reasoning and opting to roll up his sleeves and resolve the issue through force. When it came to fists, he had never been afraid of anyone, not even Dwayne Johnson!

The pungent smell of gunpowder instantly pervaded the air, as if the entire studio was about to explode.