Displaying abilities

Andy squinted his eyes slightly, carefully observing Renly's expression, attempting to discern his true thoughts. However, it was evidently not an easy task. Those eyes hidden beneath long eyelashes cast a shadow that made it impossible to delve further. This was a far cry from the clear and bright eyes of Eugene Sledge in "The Pacific". Andy couldn't help but exclaim, "Just from this detail alone, one can feel the depth of Renly's acting skills."

"So, you haven't heard, have you?" Andy maintained his smile, showing a hint of surprise and proactively engaging.

"No, I received the script yesterday." Renly chuckled lightly, smoothly entering the subway station. But Andy was left outside, evidently having not used the subway for many years. However, he showed no impatience. He immediately purchased a subway ticket from the side and entered without displaying any signs of annoyance.

After entering the subway station, Andy continued the previous topic. "Since you've received the script, you should know that your name has caused quite a stir in Hollywood."

Tom Hanks' endorsement was a treatment not every newcomer actor could receive. Moreover, the craze stirred by "The Pacific" on the internet was apparent to all. Paramount Pictures wanted Renly to audition, which was indeed a bold move, but since it was only an audition and not an actual role, it showcased Paramount's cleverness.

"So, this is a good thing." Renly's tone was plain, with a subtle upward inflection that conveyed a hint of inquiry. It was as if a curious baby were asking "why" for the umpteenth time.

Andy understood his meaning.

He was willing to visit Renly for the second time today because he saw potential in him. He believed that signing Renly would be a profitable investment and had the potential to nurture the next superstar. Of course, this was an immensely difficult task, as otherwise, there wouldn't be such a scarcity of actors deemed superstars in the industry.

However, for Renly, he was also in a position to negotiate. There was certainly more than one agent interested in signing him. This also meant that now it was Andy's turn to demonstrate his abilities. After their last meeting, Andy once again sensed the wisdom and composure in Renly that exceeded his age. He felt fortunate that he had chosen to visit in person today rather than settling for a phone call.

Although there was still half an hour until the rush hour, there were already quite a few people in the subway. The rumbling noise echoed continuously in their ears, presenting a chaotic and disordered scene vastly different from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. Discussing future plans in such a setting was probably an unprecedented occurrence in Hollywood.

Nevertheless, Andy was undeterred. After considering his words, he said, "This is indeed a good thing. But I don't think you should take on the role of "Thor"."

The corner of Renly's eyebrow slightly lifted, and a playful expression appeared on his lips. "Oh?" This was certainly an unconventional path. "I thought anyone who received an audition invitation like this would be ecstatic, even someone like Brad Pitt, right?" Robert Downey Jr.'s success as "Iron Man" had led to a spectacular resurgence, a phenomenon that Hollywood had all witnessed.

"But you're not Brad Pitt." Andy's response was concise and clear, causing Renly to smile. "That was just a joke. The real reasons are twofold: firstly, you're not the type of actor suited for a superhero role. Taking on "Thor" might actually impede your future development. Secondly, you're currently without a solid foundation. Once you accept this role, you're likely to be tightly bound to the Marvel bandwagon. Paramount, as a top-tier company, won't go easy on newcomers. You wouldn't want to become the next Daniel Radcliffe or Emma Watson, would you?"

Renly found the situation becoming increasingly intriguing. This was not just due to Andy's accurate assessment, but also because of the broad perspective subtly revealed in Andy's simple words – a perspective that was indeed distinctive.

"In the eyes of agents, actors are generally divided into two categories: those with a more straightforward career path and those with various possibilities," Andy's words prompted a broad smile from Renly, and he responded with raised volume, "I thought it was about making money or not making money." This reply caused Andy to chuckle as well, though he always wore a smile, making it difficult to discern his changing expressions.

"Choosing a superhero role can lead to rapid success, and you might skyrocket overnight, immediately entering the ranks of A-list actors. However, this path becomes increasingly constricted over time. Future options will diminish, and possibilities will dwindle," Andy continued, his earnest smile seeming to exchange industry secrets candidly with Renly. Even amid the clamor of the subway, his words held a persuasive force that was compelling, "Many newcomers opt for superhero movies as the quickest route to stardom, and this is a fact. Yet, when they make that decision, their peak potential is already predetermined."

Andy's sincerity truly caught Renly's attention.

Of course, Renly was aware that top agents in the industry understood this point very well. Countless examples supported this – from Tom Cruise, Johnny Depp, to the current Robert Downey Jr. Yet, why didn't agents prevent newcomers from making such choices? Because it wasn't necessary.

This was a realm where new talents emerged constantly. Every day, numerous new faces emerged. Missing out on tomorrow's superstars meant losing potential legends. Agents merely focused on short-term gains; that was enough. They weren't running a charity organization based on long-term planning. Actors were just the means through which they sought profits.

Look at how Johnny Depp's pay skyrocketed after his success with "Pirates of the Caribbean". This was an ironclad fact; this was undisputed success. No one cared about how his career trajectory went downhill afterward.

The most classic example was Hayden Christensen, who shot to fame with the "Star Wars" prequel series. He rose to stardom rapidly but then experienced a downward spiral. In recent years, he had gradually been forgotten. The "Harry Potter" child actors Andy mentioned earlier were also cases in point.

All agents understood this, and naturally, Andy was no exception. However, he voluntarily abandoned this short-term plan in front of Renly. Regardless of the reason, he showed his sincerity.

"So, what do you think I should do?" Renly still didn't exhibit a clear inclination. His question carried an element of exploration.

Andy knew he couldn't treat this casually and spoke attentively, "I think you should first gain experience in two independent films. It would be best if you could earn a Golden Globe Award nomination. Then you can seek opportunities in commercial films. This process can't be rushed. If it's fast, it might take two years; if it's slow, four years. We'll carefully select projects, highlight your strengths, accumulate enough positive reviews, and then explore different possibilities."

The distinction between commercial actors and artistic actors is something any agent understands well. Achieving cross-genre success is definitely no easy task – there's only one Tom Hanks. Yet, all agents attempt to explore different possibilities. Commercial films generate profits, increasing exposure for actors and winning more performance opportunities. Artistic films garner fame, pursue accolades, and open up future development possibilities.

Unless, like Sean Penn or Catherine Keener, an actor dedicates themselves entirely to carving a niche in the realm of independent art films. Otherwise, most actors seek a balance between commercial and artistic endeavors. However, the reality is that mastering this balance is the ultimate enigma that every actor and agent tirelessly seeks to unravel.

From Andy's definition of Renly, one could discern that he considered Renly to be an artistic actor. His solid, delicate acting skills and profound camera presence were sufficient for Renly to shine in independent films. Simultaneously, his outstanding appearance and elegant demeanor endowed him with a certain commercial value. Success might be possible, or it might not be, but the future held room for exploration.

"So, Brad Pitt?" Renly suddenly recalled Roy's teasing from before. Hollywood's current definition of him was "Brad Pitt", which was quite an interesting twist, wasn't it?

Andy didn't respond immediately. He thought carefully and offered a different answer, "Edward Norton."

This caused Renly's eyes to brighten. It was an incredibly thought-provoking analogy, very different from Hollywood's current perception. "If I miss "Thor", I won't have as many options in the future."

"But you wouldn't care, would you?" In response to Renly's probing, Andy's counterattack successfully brought smiles to both of them – an unspoken understanding.

Renly opened up again with a question, "I never knew there were differences in commercial films." In most agents' eyes, commercial films were all the same – popcorn flicks sacrificing reputation to attract box office sales. But as an actor, Renly knew that even if they were both eye candy, there were differences in various commercial films.

"Of course, there are," Andy remained calm, speaking with depth, "There's a difference between "The Dark Knight" and "Iron Man 2"; 'Inception' is different from "Twilight"."

These examples made Renly burst into laughter involuntarily, "I hope our conversation hasn't been eavesdropped on, or else chaos would ensue."

The frenzy of "Twilight" fans was unparalleled, despite critics' scathing reviews. The fans' fervor continued to drive the franchise's box office to new heights. Moreover, supporters of DC Comics and Marvel Comics movies were also unwavering in their dedication to their respective franchises.

"In that case, you're a DC fan, huh?" Renly playfully taunted.

Andy lifted his thick, stubby index finger to his lips, signaling for silence. Then, with a pretentious expression, he said, "I'm a fan of cinema."