Gearing up

Renly flipped through the script, his excitement palpable. The rushing currents within him quickened, a feverish enthusiasm coursing through his veins.

Andy gazed at Renly, who was rubbing his hands together with an air of readiness. A moment of quiet, then a chuckle slipped from Andy's lips. "You seem quite thrilled." Renly shrugged, a smile playing at his lips, not denying the truth.

The inner turbulence gradually settled within Andy. With genuine interest, he inquired, "You seem even more intrigued than when we discussed "Fast 5" earlier. I thought you would prefer action roles. After all, comedy demands breaking free, shedding burdens, and abandoning inhibitions."

Renly countered with a smile, "I thought you'd hope for this outcome." Otherwise, Andy wouldn't have placed the script for "Horrible Bosses" on the backburner.

Certainly, Andy spoke the truth. Purely from an audience's perspective, Renly favored "Fast 5". The film was polished, an adrenaline rush from start to finish, flawlessly executed, and thoroughly exhilarating. However, from an actor's standpoint, the challenges of "Horrible Bosses" were greater, offering more room for performance. Besides, Renly had always been intrigued by comedic acting.

Facing Renly's retort, Andy's jaw slightly clenched before he eased it. He didn't defend himself, but upon reflection, he continued, "So, you're even more interested in it than "Like Crazy"?"

"Haha." Renly laughed outright, the stars in his eyes twinkling. "There's no point in comparing, is there? Why are you so persistent about this?"

Andy earnestly replied, "It's my job to understand your inclinations; only then can I find more suitable scripts for the future, isn't it?" Then, a smile curled at the corner of Andy's lips once again. "However, your answer is quite evident. It seems you still prefer "Like Crazy". That piques my curiosity even more. What kind of script could grip you so tightly? Does this mean "Like Crazy" might even surpass "Buried"?"

"Definitely." This time, Renly didn't dodge; he decisively gave an affirmative response.

"Horrible Bosses" was indeed a challenging piece. It wasn't merely a comedy; both the script and characters stood out. Yet, in comparison, "Like Crazy" was, first and foremost, a work riddled with countless challenges, and secondly, a piece that Renly personally adored. If he had to choose between the two, undoubtedly, he'd pick the latter without much hesitation.

Missing out on "Horrible Bosses" might allow another comedic challenge down the line, but missing out on "Like Crazy" would be a genuine loss.

Andy collected his thoughts once more. His eyes betrayed a contemplative gleam. After a pause of about two seconds, he brought his thoughts back and spoke, "I'll need to arrange the audition time on the fly. As long as you give the green light, I'll make the calls right now to see when they're available. You know our schedule must align with theirs. But rest assured, everything will happen in Telluride."

Renly nodded, signifying his understanding. "For "Horrible Bosses", which role are they considering me for?"

"I'm not entirely sure." Andy had already retrieved his phone and was scrolling through his contacts. "In fact, Brett Ratner wants to create an all-star ensemble. Three employees and three bosses, all portrayed by big-name stars with box office appeal and recognizable to audiences. I've dropped a few hints, and many A-list actors are showing interest in the script."

"Andy's gaze remained fixed on the phone screen, seamlessly transitioning into work mode. His words flowed uninterrupted, an exemplar of multitasking. His mouth moved while his attention stayed on his screen, the practiced finesse of one adept at divided focus. Frat Pack—those guys, Owen Wilson, Vince Vaughn, and even Ashton Kutcher, and the likes of Matthew McConaughey, these charming pretty boys are also showing interest. And the big guy too, I've heard names like Tom Cruise, Jeff Bridges, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Kevin Spacey... So, we need to pull out all the stops."

Lifting his head, Andy met Renly's amused smile. "What's up?" Andy thought something went wrong, but Renly waved his hand, signifying all was well. Andy nodded and dialed a number. "Weren't you planning to catch a movie? Are you sure you didn't miss the start time?" Speaking as he stepped onto the balcony, Andy busied himself.

Matthew McConaughey, a pretty boy. Renly had forgotten that the current Matthew wasn't the later acclaimed actor; he was still the vase lingering in romantic comedies. A touch of irony hung in the air.

However, as Andy had noted, "Horrible Bosses" was an all-star lineup in the previous life. Kevin Spacey, Jennifer Aniston, and Colin Farrell played bosses, while Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, and Jason Sudeikis portrayed employees.

These six were familiar faces in comedy, Jennifer Aniston, Charlie Day, and Jason Sudeikis had been delivering splendid comedic performances on TV screens for an extended period. Upon transitioning to the silver screen, comedy came effortlessly to them.

It was imaginable that the casting and auditions for "Horrible Bosses" would be fiercely competitive. Relying solely on talent wasn't sufficient; Andy's network had to be leveraged. Without his assistance, even the chance to audition might remain elusive. Moreover, Renly lacked any "comedy expertise". He didn't even know how to showcase his comedic talent during auditions.

Which character would they want him to audition for? If he had a choice, which role should he go for? And what charm should he exude during the audition? The brazen arrogance of Clark Gable from "It Happened One Night"? Or the vivacious energy of Jack Lemon from "Some Like It Hot"?

The more he pondered, the more intriguing it became. Comedy performances had diverse styles, each actor bringing their unique touch. What was his comedic style, then? He lacked a clear concept or plan; this challenge was much greater than "The Pacific" or "Buried".

"Still here?" Andy returned to the room, observing Renly, who was deep in thought on the couch. Andy expressed surprise, "What about the movie tonight?" Before Renly could respond, Andy turned back to his phone, saying, "...Yes, tonight works, no problem, I'll head over now."

After hanging up, Andy faced Renly's inquisitive gaze. "I've got dinner plans with Neal H. Moritz tonight. How about it? Are you coming along?"

"For "Fast 5"?" Renly's tone lifted in question, to which Andy responded with a confirming nod.

Renly had assumed that auditions for "Horrible Bosses" would be more conveniently scheduled. After all, Andy had the script and their conversation felt like that of old friends. "Fast 5" might have to wait until the day after tomorrow. But unexpectedly, dinner was already set. From this, one could deduce the urgency of the "Fast 5" team. Yet for Renly, was this good news or bad news?

"Of course." Renly promptly nodded without any hesitation. Since he had decided to give it a try, he would move forward with determination. "Should we leave now?"

Andy was quite content with Renly's response, smiling brightly as he nodded. "Yes, let's head to the restaurant now. Neal will join us shortly." He then sized up Renly's attire. Originally dressed casually and comfortably for the film festival, Renly's outfit unexpectedly matched the style of "Fast 5". If it were "Horrible Bosses", he would have needed a suit. "Alright, no problem, let's head out now."

Leaving aside the film festival, Telluride was a skiing resort town. It held celebrations throughout the year, attracting wealthy individuals attending the film festival. Hence, the town boasted quite a few high-end establishments, with people even joking that the expenses here could rival Hawaii's, being the most expensive state in the U.S. on average.

Renly observed the Italian family-style restaurant he was in. The fireplace along the wall burned brightly. Red-hued booths lined up against the glass windows, offering a clear view of the handcrafted pizzas baking in the oven. Tall booth backs separated each seat, like natural soundproofing. A well-dressed bartender stood behind the opulent bar counter, and the gray-haired floor manager exuded the elegance and composure typical of Italian men.

This scene conjured thoughts of the bars in Martin Scorsese's movies, where Italian mobsters congregated.

"This place is suitable for a conversation," Andy seemingly sensed Renly's curiosity and explained, "Otherwise, we could have chosen a French restaurant."

"It's very New York," Renly commented, earning a chuckle from Andy. "So, in that case, I chose the wrong place. The "Fast & Furious" series is inherently Los Angeles' style."

Renly nodded earnestly, "If only we picked a Mexican restaurant."

Andy couldn't help but laugh lightly. "It seems we're not late." A voice came from beside the booth, interrupting their conversation.

One second, the voice seemed distant, originating near the entrance; the next second, the person was right beside the booth, their swift and fiery entrance leaving an impression.

What caught the eye first was a bald head, followed by another bald head. Behind these two stood more people, forming an imposing and bustling group. Renly had never participated in private one-on-one auditions, so he wasn't quite sure about the situation. Could it be that private auditions were the same as public ones, with representatives from the actors' guild, producers, and agents needing to attend? Adding casting directors and crew directors, did it involve a full ensemble?

What was even more significant was that the giant bald head that had appeared before him was no stranger; it was none other than Vin Diesel. Shouldn't he be deeply engrossed in filming? Why was he here in Telluride?

The shock had not yet subsided when a cacophony of voices surged forth. A radiant face came into view, and a friendly hand extended. "Good evening!" Wasn't that Paul Walker? Who else could it be?