Main character, small budget, comedy; last moment, alternate first choice, suitable role.
Just with these simple keywords, attempting to piece together the true nature of the invitation was a task nearly impossible. But such a situation was undeniably intriguing.
Just a few days ago, the arrangement for Renly's next film was still up in the air. However, the situation had undergone a dramatic transformation. First came "Detachment", a chance for Renly to once again push the limits of his acting skills. And now, a comedy piece. Not only was his schedule brimming, but the options themselves had taken on a dreamlike quality.
Ever since receiving the script for "Horrible Bosses" from Toronto, Renly had been yearning to try his hand at comedy. It was another facet of performance, one he thought he would have to wait for – finding the right role, the right script, was no easy task. Yet, unexpectedly, a breakthrough had been swiftly achieved.
Indeed, it was Hollywood – full of unexpected twists and rapid changes, leaving people caught off guard.
However, what exactly was this comedy piece?
Although this last-minute replacement might seem hasty, Renly believed that Andy was not one to act on impulse. Andy's willingness to make contact indicated that the project had gone through his review. Perhaps there were significant figures within the crew lineup. Moreover, this was happening at 3 a.m., making the situation even more intriguing.
After hanging up the phone, it took less than three minutes for the Bach Unaccompanied Cello Suites ringtone to chime again.
Without panic, Renly answered the call in a composed manner. Nor did he intentionally keep the caller waiting. Setting his glass down leisurely, he pressed the answer button. "Good evening, this is Renly."
A gravelly and coarse voice sounded from the other end of the line. "Good evening. Sorry to disturb your rest at such a late hour. I hope I'm not ruining anything good."
The murky voice was as distinct as if it was laced with phlegm. Coupled with the slightly teasing tone, there was no need for self-introduction. The corresponding name had already surfaced in Renly's mind.
As expected.
"Oh, my apologies. I forgot to introduce myself. This is Seth Rogen. I'm not sure if your agent has mentioned me to you, or how much you know about the current situation. However, there's a role waiting for you here, and you are our savior."
Seth Rogen, a member of the new generation of comedy talents coined the Apatow Mafia, a fuzzy Jewish guy, a rising star in comedy.
He was a remarkably talented individual. Beyond acting, his true prowess lay in crafting jokes and scripts. His name appeared in the credits of works like "Superbad", "Pineapple Express", and "Sausage Party". With his outstanding talent, he not only played a supporting role but also served as a co-producer in his third major work on the big screen, "The 40-Year-Old Virgin", when he was just 22 years old.
As an actor, Seth's resume included megahits like "Knocked Up", which catapulted him to fame, voice acting in animated pieces like "Shrek the Third" and "Kung Fu Panda", and smaller-budget independent films like "Paper Heart", "The Guilt Trip", and "Take This Waltz".
While Seth was only twenty-eight years old this year, he had gradually become a cornerstone figure in the American comedy scene. With the "Gang of Lovable Rascals" as his foundation, he had also built his own core team, supporting and assisting each other, rising to prominence.
Otherwise, "The Green Hornet", released early this year, wouldn't have invited him to collaborate with Jay Chou. Even though the film turned out to be a flop, so disastrous that it lost even its underpants.
"The savior? What number savior am I?" Renly chuckled lightly, his first words a playful retort.
"The first," Seth answered without hesitation. But there was no response from Renly on the other end of the line. Seth knew that the other party didn't believe it. This made Seth a bit anxious, so he added, "I'm being serious."
Normally, Seth wouldn't have been this anxious, but the situation was urgent today. He was in a hurry, and his lips had started to bubble.
With only five days left until the start of filming, all the locations had been rented, and all the crew members had been hired. If the schedule were to be changed or delayed, the losses for the production crew would be immeasurable. For major production crews, a daily expenditure of tens of thousands of dollars was nothing, but for independent small-scale productions, even a few thousand dollars a day was painfully substantial.
James McAvoy had backed out at the last critical moment, leaving the entire production crew in a miserable situation. But what could they say? Small-scale productions had no power. Compared to big brands like "X-Men", they didn't even have legs as thick as others' fingers. They could only swallow their pride.
"You are our only and top choice at the moment. When facing an emergency, Will thought of you first. He watched "Like Crazy" in Park City and was deeply impressed by your performance. Will firmly believes that you are the best choice. If you reject us, we don't know what to do."
Of course, Seth's words were embellished. Indeed, Renly was their first choice. He was riding high on popularity, had solid acting skills, a suitable age, focused on independent films, and most importantly, came at a reasonable price. But if Renly declined, they naturally had a backup plan: Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
Joseph's demeanor was quite close to the image they had in mind. However, over the past two years, Joseph, who had consecutively delivered outstanding works like "(500) Days of Summer" and "Inception", had seen his value rise.
Rumors had it that Joseph was very close to playing Robin in "The Dark Knight Rises". Joseph himself had a fondness for independent films, but his agent would be a tough nut to crack. Reaching a consensus on compensation and scheduling would certainly not be simple.
Honestly, Seth truly hoped Renly would agree.
"Before making a decision, Renly, do you have time to seriously listen to this role?" Seth said urgently, though he didn't forget his sense of humor. "At 3 a.m."
Renly sat on the couch, adjusting himself into a comfortable position. He didn't want to make things difficult for Seth and said sincerely, "I'm all ears."
"It's not a complicated script, and our budget doesn't allow for an overly intricate story," Seth added a touch of humor to his words and actions, genuinely evoking a chuckle. "The protagonist of the story is named Adam. When he was twenty-five, he was diagnosed with cancer, disrupting his peaceful life."
Seth's speech wasn't rapid, and that hoarse voice of his always gave the impression that he might cough at any moment. Yet, surprisingly, his simple words carried a genuine power, an indescribable sincerity that touched the heart.
"He attempted to calm himself down, tried to approach it with composure, and then shared his illness with everyone around him. He faced it actively and bravely. Dealing with the shock, sorrow, and sadness, Adam gradually discovered that when we ignore cancer, many fun things happen. Life seems to regain its interest. Simultaneously, Adam's health began to improve."
Seth spoke in a continuous flow, as if his words couldn't be halted.
"Cancer is a sad thing, a painful one. But beyond cancer, life continues. Beyond love and family, there is friendship, the most important and touching kind of friendship, accompanying us through the challenges of life."
Renly's mood gradually settled. Friendship, an indispensable part of life, was also the most cherished emotion in his life. Just hearing up to this point, Renly had already made up his mind: he wanted to take on this script.
"Excuse me, please forgive my rudeness. I need to wipe away my tears." Seth's solemn words delivering such a poignant content had an unexpected touch of humor, carrying a strong undertone of irony. "I mean, this script is full of sincerity. Because the story inside isn't fabricated; it's a real story shared among me, Will, and his family."
Seth paused, sighing, "Will is Will Reiser, my good friend. He's the Adam in the story. I won't deny it—I like this script. It's a script brimming with passion and emotions. After reading it, I was deeply moved because it depicts a person's life with humor and wit. And this life, I happened to be a part of."
"In this work, I'll be playing myself, so it shouldn't be too difficult. As for the character Adam, Will hopes you'll take on the role because you're the most suitable actor."
Seth spoke quickly, as if he couldn't wait to pour out all the thoughts in his mind at once. His earnestness and sincerity had no concealment whatsoever. "Honestly, you're much more handsome than Will. I don't know if Will's view is colored by a desire to embellish himself when he thinks you're the best fit, because from that angle, you're not really suitable." Seth's jest made the corners of Renly's mouth naturally lift. "But aside from that, I can't think of anyone more fitting than you. That delicate blend of vulnerability and resilience, tears paired with smiles—I believe you can infuse this character with an entirely new vitality!"
After delivering this with a burst of enthusiasm, Seth let out a long exhale. The bamboo tube had emptied out, and his head felt a bit oxygen-deprived. Only then did he realize that Renly hadn't said a word from start to finish. This made him anxious. "So, what do you think?"
Before Renly could answer, Seth hastened to add, "I know it's an indie project, and the pay might not be too high. I also know that for a smaller-scope work like this, the attention might not be very high either. But I genuinely hope you'll agree to join. This is Will's life, my life, and the life of countless cancer patients. We hope this story can be shared with more people."
Suddenly, Renly found himself envious of Will. Seth was truly a good friend, and he could feel it.
His lips curved upward slightly. "Seth, I have a question." Renly's words made Seth's heart leap with anticipation. "You've been telling stories, but you haven't really delved into the details about the character. I'm just not quite sure, what kind of character is this, really?"
Teasing Seth Rogen, this was turning out to be quite an amusing affair.