Testing Waters

Renly paused, then burst into laughter, finally understanding Andy's recent mood swings. Originally, he had planned to join the ongoing festivities of the film festival, but now there was no rush. He should at least show Andy enough respect. So, he settled down on the sofa diagonally opposite, found a comfortable position, and said politely, "I'm all ears."

"One is an action movie," Andy's expression didn't change; he still wore that ever-present smile. However, his slightly relaxed tone revealed his happiness, "the 'Fast & Furious' series, have you heard of it?"

Without any warning, Andy threw a bomb in Renly's face, and his mind instantly flooded with countless questions. "Fast & Furious"? Did he hear that right? Why would this adrenaline-pumping, testosterone-fueled action movie come to him? Not to mention, why would Andy choose such a project? Why would the "Fast & Furious" crew be interested? Neither "The Pacific" nor "Buried" showcased his potential as an action actor. There were no clues linking him to the "Fast & Furious" crew.

Renly suddenly felt intrigued.

"They're looking for a villain, or more accurately, an actor to play a righteous role," Andy got straight to the point without any nonsense, "An FBI agent. They want someone who is both smart and physically strong, a formidable opponent who can physically confront Vin Diesel and mentally spar with Paul Walker. They want to push the theme of brains versus brawn to the extreme. I recommended you to producer Neal H. Moritz. After watching 'Buried,' they agreed to arrange an audition."

A cunning and brave FBI agent? Representing the side of justice in the chase against the "Fast & Furious" criminals, but clearly destined to fail from the movie's standpoint. However, true fans of the series would know this would be a charming role because Paul Walker's Brian originally was a cop who developed a deep, brotherly bond with Vin Diesel's Dominic through their confrontations and adventures together.

"Which installment of the series is this?" This series has seven films, and by the time he was reborn, the production of the eighth was nearing completion. Renly couldn't clearly recall the release timeline and got confused.

"Five," Andy answered.

The classic "Fast & Furious 5." Although the seventh installment had the highest box office, the fifth was widely regarded by critics and fans as the definitive classic.

Not only did this movie achieve a complete upgrade, from racing scenes to confrontations to the climactic showdown, it truly reached blockbuster level. Its plot, pacing, and story framework were exceptional, maximizing the essence of a popcorn flick. The scene where the two protagonists drive a bank vault through the streets was absolutely stunning.

It's no exaggeration to say the fifth movie elevated the entire series, making it one of Universal Pictures' most profitable franchises.

Another noteworthy point is that the fifth movie marked Dwayne Johnson's debut in the series. His role as FBI agent Hobbs received widespread acclaim. This actor, originally a wrestler, had been struggling in Hollywood for nearly a decade. With this film, he finally found his breakthrough, skyrocketing to success. He later became an indispensable third protagonist in the "Fast & Furious" series.

Could it be that the role Andy wanted him to audition for was Hobbs, originally played by Dwayne Johnson?

Imagining himself in Dwayne's scenes, Renly felt the whole movie's style would change. In fact, hardly anyone in Hollywood could rival Dwayne's physique. Even Vin Diesel looked like a pretty boy next to him.

"You just said they want a character who is both brave and smart?" Renly realized that maybe at first, the role of Hobbs had a different concept, only modified after Dwayne was cast. This wouldn't be unusual in Hollywood.

Andy nodded, his smile widening, "I certainly don't want you to bulk up like Vin Diesel." This made Renly chuckle. "I think you can create a character similar to Indiana Jones, bringing a different vibe to the film and enhancing its quality. Don't worry, I don't plan to cast you in 'Transformers.'"

"Haha," Renly laughed genuinely, "Nowadays, actors are clamoring to be in 'Transformers.'"

Megan Fox and Michael Bay's public feud was making headlines, with Fox being replaced in the upcoming "Transformers 3," causing a stir in Hollywood.

Andy smiled and asked, "Do you need me to help you get that role, kicking out Shia LaBeouf?"

Renly raised an eyebrow, "How about Bumblebee?"

Both of them chuckled. "So, what do you think?" Andy brought the conversation back on track. "Personally, I think it's a good opportunity. Even though it's a supporting role, there's no major box office pressure. Yet, it's a commercial blockbuster and a special character worth exploring, like Jason Bourne. The fourth film in the series did well, and Universal Pictures is optimistic about the fifth. It could be your chance to test the waters in commercial cinema, just like Mads Mikkelsen playing the villain in 'Casino Royale.'"

Starring in commercial films has its nuances. For a trophy actress like Megan Fox, the focus is on showcasing her as an eye-catching presence. For veteran actors like Helen Mirren, breaking stereotypes while adding unique flavor to movies is key, making roles in films like "Red" and "Monsters University" more fitting.

For Andy, he naturally hoped Renly could excel in commercial films, akin to Tom Hanks, balancing box office hits and awards. But since Renly was still early in his career, Andy didn't want to rush things. Choosing commercial projects required extra caution.

As he said, it's a good role and a good opportunity.

Renly had a different perspective. He liked the "Fast & Furious" series. Car chases, fights, explosions—these were just the surface, the adrenaline-pumping thrills. What truly moved him was the brotherhood, watching Brian and Dominic go from adversaries to comrades, becoming a family. This bond was what set the series apart from others.

Of course, Renly had concerns. Just like with the "Thor" script, the "Fast & Furious" series was an ongoing commitment. Once cast, he'd be tied to the role for a long time, impacting his ability to explore different roles and manage his schedule.

Fortunately, the role Andy described, whether or not it was Hobbs, seemed more nuanced than the straightforward Thor. If it could be like Javier Bardem's villain in "Skyfall," with depth, or like Indiana Jones, adding a unique charm, the performance could be interesting.

However, all of this was just Renly's speculation. He didn't even have an audition yet, let alone the role. If following the previous life's trajectory, he wouldn't have any chance at all. No one could compete with Dwayne Johnson for Hobbs.

After a few moments of thought, Renly looked at Andy. "When?"

Unlike "Thor," Renly was willing to give "Fast & Furious" a chance. At least he could sit down and discuss it face-to-face. While they auditioned him, he could understand the character's setup and framework. He believed that if they were arranging an audition, they intended to create a unique FBI agent.

Andy's eyebrows relaxed, pleased with the answer. "I'll contact them. If all goes well, it should be tomorrow."

"They're in Telluride too?" Renly was surprised. He thought the "Fast & Furious" production team wouldn't be interested in a festival like Telluride.

Andy smiled without answering. It was because Neal was in Telluride that he could make this connection smoothly. "Buried" was receiving positive feedback in Telluride. "Didn't you know? Telluride Film Festival is the biggest gathering of American billionaires. These wealthy individuals love using such platforms to showcase their artistic taste and cultural knowledge."

Renly hadn't anticipated this answer. He paused, then laughed. Thinking about it, it made sense. Unlike Cannes, which was full of glitz, or Toronto, which was openly commercial, Telluride maintained its artistic integrity while being popular with cinephiles. Like Stanley Kubrick, whether understood or not, his name added prestige.

"The crew has already started preliminary shooting. The role was initially given to Dwayne Johnson, but his agent demanded too high a fee, displeasing the crew. Now they're negotiating while making a backup plan," Andy's sudden revelation was intriguing.