"In these two scripts, I would strongly recommend "Looper"," Roy didn't hesitate and made a bold recommendation, prompting Renly's eyebrows to raise slightly as he shot a questioning gaze. Roy continued to explain his choice.
"In reality, I think "21 Jump Street" is pretty good. It's a comedy, and while the main storyline is relatively simple, the screenwriter, Michael Bacall, is quite talented. He previously wrote "Scott Pilgrim vs. The World" and "Project X", and his sense of humor is uniquely interesting. I believe you can create chemistry with the character and challenge the style of comedy similar to SNL. You should enjoy it."
"21 Jump Street" was an adaptation of the 1980s TV series with Johnny Depp's breakthrough role. After the movie adaptation, it gathered a group of actors known for their gangster roles, and their American-style dark humor received enthusiastic acclaim. It won over critics and audiences alike, scoring a big success. They even went on to make a sequel, which also did quite well.
Andy's choice of this script was quite simple: it was another opportunity for Renly to break away from his established image. This wasn't a comedy like "50/50", but a real opportunity to set aside his image, drop his guard, and be genuinely funny. It bore some similarities to the missed opportunity with "Horrible Bosses", and compared to the latter, "21 Jump Street" was a dual-lead project with more concentrated screen time, making it more challenging and worth considering.
Roy was unaware of Renly's past experience with a similar film, and he continued, "However, this project presents a significant challenge to your image. It might break the audience's perception of you. I know you don't care about image issues, but this kind of comedy isn't just about acting silly and ridiculous; it also requires a spark. I believe that if you do take on this project, choosing the right co-star will be crucial."
In comedy, the chemistry between the straight man and the funny one was crucial. "21 Jump Street" was no exception.
In the previous life, the pairing of Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum, one playing the straight man and the other the funny guy, was truly a match made in heaven. It received widespread praise, and despite an investment of $42M, it grossed nearly $138M in North America alone, with a global box office exceeding $200M. It was both critically acclaimed and commercially successful.
Facing Roy's opinion, Renly remained relatively expressionless and didn't offer any comments. He shifted the conversation instead, asking about "Looper". More precisely, he was more curious about Roy's thoughts on this particular project.
"This is a science fiction film, somewhat similar to "Source Code", which premiered in April this year," Roy began, prepared and confident. "After "Groundhog Day" and "Butterfly Effect", it's tough to bring novelty to this genre. It's not about the logic of science fiction; it's about the storytelling. "Looper" revolves around the concept of a causal loop, with a touch of Eastern philosophy. If executed successfully, it has the potential to become a classic."
"The screenwriter is Rian Johnson, who wrote and directed "Brick", starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt. He later directed a few episodes of "Breaking Bad". I expect he'll also direct this film, but I'm a bit hesitant about his ability. If it were Duncan Jones, that would be perfect," Roy's judgment remained calm and objective. He had different expectations for works of different genres, showing his impressive professional level.
"The reason I believe this project is more recommendable than "21 Jump Street" is that it suits you better," Roy didn't forget the focus of their discussion today and redirected the conversation back to Renly. "FYI, "Looper" due to its thematic propositions, tests the male lead's acting skills in a different way. Unlike "Source Code", it involves deeper philosophical reflection and soul-searching, which demands more from the actor. Firstly, it's a commercial science fiction film; secondly, it's a profound and rigorous script; thirdly, it offers a character with numerous possibilities."
At this point, Roy casually shrugged, offering little explanation but making his point abundantly clear. "However, it has a fatal flaw: the co-stars. I'm not sure how the producers intend to position the film. If it's purely a sci-fi movie with fights and confrontations, they might opt for some action-oriented actors. In that case, it could be a disaster and completely undermine the core theme of the movie, leaving little room for the actors. So..." Roy made a clicking sound with his tongue. "All we can do is hope."
Looking at the trajectory from the previous life, "Looper" received high praise in North America but was criticized in China, with many netizens voicing their complaints. On the other hand, "Source Code" garnered a devoted following in China but received mixed reviews from North American critics.
As for box office performance, both films faced mixed fortunes in North America but achieved solid results overseas. "Looper" had slightly higher North American box office figures, while "Source Code" performed better overseas. Both films turned a profit thanks to their success in international markets.
"Looper" starred Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis, with Xu Qing and Emily Blunt playing important roles. As Roy had expected, the production chose Bruce Willis and other action-oriented actors, ultimately positioning the film as a sci-fi action movie.
For Renly, "21 Jump Street" and "Looper" were both intriguing choices.
The former was a comedy, and after "50/50", Renly would once again challenge himself with comedic acting. Regardless of his co-star, this would undoubtedly be a joyful and lighthearted filming journey. He could also try to recapture the unconventional performance he had missed out on in "Horrible Bosses".
The latter was a sci-fi film and, in a sense, could be considered a continuation of the same genre as "Fast & Furious". It primarily featured action and combat but added some philosophical contemplation, requiring a certain level of performance skill without being overly challenging. It was another attempt at commercial film acting.
Roy recommended "Looper" for several reasons, in addition to those mentioned earlier. The main consideration was the North American market. Sci-fi films had always been a significant mainstream genre. While they might not have the explosive impact of pure action movies, they were popular among both die-hard fans and general popcorn audiences. Once successful, they could yield substantial benefits.
This choice aligned best with Renly's current situation: a commercial film with a personal touch in the sci-fi genre. It wasn't brainless popcorn entertainment, nor was it deeply artistic. It wouldn't completely alienate professional film enthusiasts while still appealing to a broader audience.
It was akin to sci-fi action films like the "Alien" series, "Blade Runner", and the "Terminator" series. Although they were commercial films, the scripts required careful crafting to achieve the dual goals of box office success and critical acclaim. For actors, they were challenging but worthwhile projects.
Renly speculated that if Andy had made the recommendation, "Looper" would likely have been among the top choices. From this perspective, had Roy passed the assessment?
Roy scrutinized Renly's expression carefully, attempting to find some clues to discern his preferences and inclinations. However, he was disappointed. There was neither agreement nor disagreement on Renly's face. He continued to peruse the script meticulously, listening attentively to Roy's explanations but refrained from expressing any opinions.
Of course, one could argue that Renly hadn't finished reading the script yet and wasn't in a hurry to make a decision. But it could also be said that Roy's explanations were not persuasive enough to move Renly.
However, this wasn't surprising. From their previous interactions, Renly had displayed a level of insight and wisdom beyond his years, which had helped him establish a firm footing in Hollywood. Today's conversation further demonstrated this. Roy knew that recommending and vetoing works were merely the first test; the real focus lay on the uncertain scripts.
Sure enough, Renly meticulously perused the script of "Looper" and then set it aside without additional comments. He then opened the first script from the last pile: "Django Unchained".
Roy adjusted his breathing and regained his composure. "All three of these scripts have a common characteristic: a mix of pros and cons. You could say they are just right for you, or you could say they're not worth much. For example, this script carries Quentin Tarantino's renowned name. His scripts are always highly stylized and demand a dark, humorous style from the actors. However, it's primarily a director and writer-driven film, and standing out as an actor isn't easy."
Renly didn't look up but seemed lost in thought. "Django Unchained"? Why couldn't he think of which role he'd like to play? Was it the sinister plantation owner played by Leonardo DiCaprio?
"But, his movies are clearly director and writer-driven. It's not easy for actors," Roy shifted his focus. "And this is a film about black slaves in the Wild West, so your role would be quite limited. I looked at it, and the potential roles don't quite match your age. They'd require someone at least thirty-five or older."
A faint smile tugged at the corners of Renly's mouth. Roy's words had hit the mark, matching his thoughts. Could this be a shared way of thinking?
"If you hope to collaborate with Quentin, I believe he can create a role for you. You know, Quentin writes scripts in a wild and creative way, and he occasionally takes on roles himself. So, it shouldn't be a problem. But if not, the acting value in this script may not even match "Jack Reacher"."
Roy maintained his usual style—concise, clear, and straightforward. Renly appreciated this style, as working together under such clarity often yielded efficient results.
Renly found "Django Unchained" an interesting piece, but not as appealing as "Inglourious Basterds". As for Quentin Tarantino, his personal favorites had always been "Reservoir Dogs" and "Kill Bill", followed by "Pulp Fiction". Since "Inglourious Basterds", Quentin had gone a bit overboard and was gradually inching towards the Oscars, losing some of his distinctive style in the process.
Deep within, Renly agreed with Roy's assessment but refrained from expressing his thoughts. After all, nominally, he hadn't read these scripts yet. He had only listened to Roy's explanations, and he needed more time to read the scripts, didn't he?
However, this left Roy in a somewhat anxious state, watching Renly's expressionless face, his mood filled with uncertainty.