Test the waters

Renly paused for a moment and then chuckled softly. Andy's fluctuating emotions earlier made more sense now. He had been ready to join the festival's revelry, but now he felt it best to show Andy the respect he deserved. So, he seated himself comfortably on the sofa across from Andy, finding a relaxed position, and politely said, "I'm all ears."

"One of them is an action film," Andy's demeanor appeared unchanged on the surface, still wearing a smiling expression, but there was a slight relaxation in his tone that indicated his excitement. "Have you heard of the "Fast & Furious" series?"

Without any preparation, Andy tossed a bomb at Renly's face. Countless question marks flashed through his mind. "Fast & Furious"? He hadn't misheard, had he? Why would this adrenaline-pumping, hormone-surging action film approach him? Leaving aside why Andy would choose such a project, why would the "Fast & Furious" production team be interested? Whether it was "The Pacific" or "Buried", he hadn't shown any potential as an action actor, and there were no clues connecting him to the "Fast & Furious" production.

Renly suddenly felt enthusiastic.

"They're looking for a villain, or to be more precise, an actor to play a heroic role," Andy cut to the chase without any preamble. "A bionic agent, someone who's both smart and physically formidable. They need a strong adversary who can not only physically go head-to-head with Vin Diesel but also engage in a mental showdown with Paul Walker and others, taking the theme of brains versus brawn to the extreme. I recommended you to the producer Neal H. Moritz. After watching "Buried", they think an audition could be arranged."

A bionic agent engaging in a battle of wits? Representing justice as he chases after the criminals in the "Fast & Furious" universe. But standing from the perspective of the film, the pursuit was bound to fail eventually. Yet, viewers who were truly familiar with the "Fast & Furious" series would know that this role would be incredibly charming. Because Brian, played by Paul Walker, was originally a cop who teamed up with Dominic, played by Vin Diesel, in pursuit of justice. They formed a strong camaraderie as they fought side by side, ultimately developing an unbreakable bond.

"Which installment of the series is this?" This series had a total of seven films, and as he recalled, the eighth was wrapping up production around the time of his rebirth. Renly's grasp of the release timeline wasn't entirely clear and was easy to mix up.

"The fifth one," Andy answered.

The most iconic one, "Fast 5". While the seventh film had the highest box office earnings in the series, the absolute classic recognized by film critics and most fans was the fifth installment.

Not just because this film achieved an all-around upgrade, from car racing scenes to confrontations, and then to the climax of a grand battle, truly reaching the level of a blockbuster. It was also because the plot, pacing, and story structure of this film were outstanding, showcasing the essence of popcorn commercial films to the fullest. The scene where the two main characters drove a bank vault through the streets during a car chase was absolutely awe-inspiring.

Without exaggeration, the fifth film elevated the entire series to a new level, firmly establishing itself as one of Universal Pictures' highest-grossing franchises.

Moreover, worth mentioning is that the fifth film marked the debut of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, portraying the bionic agent Hobbs. His performance won widespread acclaim. This actor, who came from a wrestling background and had gone through ups and downs in Hollywood for nearly a decade, finally welcomed the spring of his career with this film, propelling himself to success. He eventually became an indispensable third lead in the "Fast & Furious" series.

Could it be that the role Andy was having him audition for was the same as Dwayne Johnson's Hobbs?

Imagining himself in the scenes where Johnson appeared, Renly felt the entire film's style change. In fact, throughout Hollywood, there were hardly any actors who could match Johnson's physique. Even Vin Diesel, when standing before Johnson, looked almost like a delicate young man.

"You mentioned earlier that they're looking for a character who's both brave and resourceful?" Renly realized that perhaps at the beginning, their conception of Hobbs' character was different. However, since they couldn't find a suitable actor and eventually cast Johnson, they likely made corresponding adjustments to the character's design. This was not uncommon in Hollywood.

Andy nodded, and the smile that had been lingering at the corners of his mouth suddenly lifted. "I don't want you to train to look like Vin Diesel." This comment made Renly chuckle involuntarily. "I think you can shape a character similar to Indiana Jones, injecting an entirely different temperament into the film, truly enhancing its quality. Don't worry, I'm not planning to have you star in "Transformers" now."

"Ha," Renly laughed heartily. "There's no shortage of actors who want to star in "Transformers" now."

Megan Fox and Michael Bay had completely fallen out, engaging in a highly publicized war of words in the media. Now, the upcoming "Transformers 3" announced a change in the leading actress, setting all of Hollywood abuzz.

With a smile, Andy countered, "Do you need me to help you compete against Shia LaBeouf?"

A playful lift of Renly's brow. "How about Bumblebee?"

Both of them chuckled in unison. "So, what do you think?" Andy redirected the conversation, "Personally, I think it's a good opportunity. Even though it's a supporting role, this way, there's not too much box office pressure. However, you can still appear in a commercial blockbuster, and it's a special character worth contemplating. Just like Jason Bourne. The market performance of the fourth installment in the series was solid, and Universal Pictures is optimistic about the prospects of the fifth. This can be your chance to dip your toes into commercial cinema, similar to how Mads Mikkelsen played the antagonist in a James Bond film."

Acting in commercial films also had its nuances. For actors like Megan Fox, who were considered eye candy, the focus was on being a dazzling visual presence, and selecting projects needed to highlight her strengths. For seasoned actors like Helen Mirren, they could break free from their image while also giving a film a special flavor. Challenges like "Red" and "Monsters University" were more fitting.

For Andy, of course, he hoped Renly could shine in commercial cinema, much like Tom Hanks, achieving both box office success and critical acclaim. Yet, as Renly was still in the early stages of his career, Andy didn't want to rush things. The selection of commercial projects needed to be more careful.

As he had said, it was a good role and a good opportunity.

Renly's perspective on this matter was somewhat different. He enjoyed the "Fast & Furious" series—the racing, the fights, the explosions—they were merely a shell that delivered an adrenaline-pumping movie experience. However, what truly touched him about the series was the bond of brotherhood. Watching characters like Brian and Dominic evolve from enemies to comrades, becoming a true family, brought a subtle sense of emotion. This was what set this series apart from others.

Of course, Renly had his concerns. Just like with the initial script of "Thor", the "Fast & Furious" series was a package deal. Once he took on a role, he would be tied to that character for the long haul. This would have far-reaching effects on Renly's future challenges with different roles and even his scheduling arrangements.

Fortunately, the character that Andy depicted, regardless of whether it was the Hobbs Renly suspected, hinted that it wasn't as straightforward as Thor's role. If it could provide the kind of room for development that Javier Bardem had as the antagonist in "Skyfall", or if it could indeed resemble the character of Indiana Jones, as Andy had described, then the performance would suddenly become intriguing.

Yet, all of this was merely Renly's speculation and indulgence in his own thoughts. He hadn't even auditioned, let alone secured the role. If history followed the trajectory of his past life, he wouldn't have had any chance at all. No one could compete with Dwayne Johnson for the role of Hobbs.

His thoughts circled his mind twice, and Renly looked at Andy. "When?"

Unlike "Thor", Renly was willing to give the "Fast & Furious" series a shot. At the very least, they could sit down face-to-face for a conversation. While they auditioned him, he could also learn more about the character's setting and framework. He believed that if they were willing to arrange an audition, it meant they intended to mold this bionic agent into a distinctive character.

Andy's brows relaxed, and he liked this answer. "I'll contact them later. If all goes well, it should be tomorrow."

"They're at Telluride too?" Renly was somewhat surprised. He had assumed that the "Fast & Furious" production team wouldn't be interested in an event like the Telluride Film Festival and wouldn't even attend.

Andy chuckled without saying a word. It was precisely because Neal was at Telluride that he was able to smoothly establish a connection for "Buried". The feedback from Telluride had been quite positive. "Don't you know? The Telluride Film Festival is a gathering place for America's wealthiest. Those billionaires always want to use this platform to prove their artistic taste and knowledge."

This was an answer Renly hadn't anticipated. He hesitated for a moment and then chuckled in understanding. Upon careful consideration, it made sense. Telluride wasn't as ostentatious as Cannes, nor did it put transactions on the table like Toronto. It maintained its own artistic standards while still receiving widespread approval from movie enthusiasts. Just like Stanley Kubrick, whether you understood his work or not, his name was a valuable brand to associate with.

"Their preliminary filming has actually begun. Originally, they had secured Dwayne Johnson for this role, but his agent demanded a fee that the production team wasn't satisfied with, so they're negotiating now. Meanwhile, they've made backup plans." Andy's unexpected revelation was laden with meaningful implications.