Hollywood: The Greatest Showman

Chapter 220: Too Many Conincidences

Jennifer Lawrence knew she was about to be late; there were less than two minutes until the scheduled time. She picked up her pace, and after entering the door, she looked around. Spotting Drake's signature curly hair, she hadn't yet managed to walk up when a man's figure strode past her. Forced to increase her speed, she gritted her teeth and followed.

Standing between the two figures, Jennifer tiptoed, trying to greet Drake, but instead, she saw another familiar yet strange face. Her eyes widened in surprise. Already oxygen-deprived from running, her brain momentarily froze in disbelief, forgetting her plan to greet the director. Shocked words escaped her mouth without any thought, "... What are you doing here?"

She never expected to meet Renly here!

Jennifer's animated expression was anything but ladylike, yet it had a candid charm. Renly's mouth curved into a smile. He picked up the cup on the table, gestured with it, "Drinking tea," and then started to sip it carefully.

That answer was so infuriatingly casual, but she had no grounds to argue. Jennifer choked on her words, feeling a bit exasperated, and managed a bitter smile, "You know that's not what I meant." Her straightforward style remained unchanged. "I visited Heather the day before yesterday; she didn't mention your new plans."

Before Renly could respond, Drake, sitting beside them, straightened up, "What? You two know each other?"

"Yes."

"No."

Renly said the first, Jennifer the second. Their conflicting answers made them look at each other. Jennifer shrugged innocently, "Well, we're not exactly friends."

"We've met twice, but we're not friends," Renly summarized without arguing.

Jennifer spread her hands with a "see, I told you" expression, making Renly chuckle.

Drake's gaze shifted between Renly and Jennifer several times, then he smiled broadly, "Looks like you two won't need much time to build chemistry."

"What?" Having rushed here and then unexpectedly seen Renly, Jennifer hadn't had time to think. Hearing Drake's words, she blurted out.

Drake stood up, showing no director's airs, and introduced everyone.

The tall, thin guy was Charlie Bewley, a British actor known for his role in the "Twilight" series. He would play Simon in "Like Crazy," Anna's later boyfriend in London. Jennifer Lawrence would play Sam, Jacob's later girlfriend in Los Angeles.

After introductions, Drake looked around and then turned to Renly, "Are you also British?" Felicity and Charlie were too. Out of the four main actors in the crew, three were British, though Jacob was written as an American in the script, as Drake himself was.

"Is there a problem?" Renly had switched to a Los Angeles accent.

Compared to other places, Los Angeles's accent features were less distinct due to its mix of many cultures and backgrounds, making it harder to imitate yet less demanding for accuracy. Renly modeled his accent on Drake's, which was an elite Orange County accent.

Drake, accustomed to Renly's midwestern accent from "Buried," took a moment to adjust before laughing, "No problem at all." Then he invited everyone to sit, "Thank you for joining the 'Like Crazy' crew. I hope we can work well together! Honestly, I'm eager to get started."

Jennifer took a seat beside Renly, remembering that he was an actor. It was more precise to say she knew he acted, but she hadn't anticipated that they would become co-stars, let alone in roles that pitted them against one another.

In "Like Crazy," Sam only had scenes with Jacob. Drake didn't set up any dramatic confrontations; Sam never directly faced Anna, and Jacob didn't confront Simon. Renly would be Jennifer's only scene partner in this film.

The twists of this story were still incredible to Jennifer. Their first meeting at the airport began with a misunderstanding, giving a terrible first impression. The second meeting at the hospital resolved the misunderstanding but was still odd due to their mutual friend Heather, a unique patient. Now, at their third meeting in the crew, they had to act as romantic partners, definitely not a typical friends' route.

So, she was right—they weren't friends.

"Why aren't you surprised to see me?" Jennifer leaned, looking at Renly, curiosity written all over her face.

"Why would I be?" Renly's rhetorical question made Jennifer pause. "You're an actor, and so am I, and we're around the same age. Hollywood is smaller than it seems. It's not unusual for us to end up working on the same project." He couldn't say that in another life, Jennifer played Sam, so he wasn't surprised at all.

"But..." Jennifer wanted to argue.

Renly continued, "I'm more curious why you agreed to this script."

By now, Jennifer wasn't an unknown actress. Her role in 2008's "The Burning Plain," working with Charlize Theron and Kim Basinger, earned her a newcomer award at the Venice Film Festival. She then starred in "Winter's Bone," gaining acclaim at Sundance, followed by roles in "The Beaver" and "X-Men: First Class." Given her rising career, taking a minor role in "Like Crazy" was surprising.

"I liked the script." Jennifer answered without hesitation, "But I'm not suited for Anna; she's too gentle. Sam is different—strong and assertive but willing to soften for love, waiting for Jacob despite knowing it's foolish. In this way, she's like Jacob, which is why she can't let go. Unfortunately, Jacob's devotion isn't to her."

She paused, tucked her hair behind her ear, revealing a touch of vulnerability, "That's the most helpless side of love."

Renly looked at Jennifer in surprise, then fell into thought.

Sam's role wasn't large, only three or four scenes, with limited room for expression. But Jennifer's interpretation added depth, paralleling Jacob and Anna's fiery love hindered by time and space with Sam and Jacob's steady but ultimately mismatched relationship.

This understanding added more to "Like Crazy's" theme.

He knew Jennifer was talented, later winning an Oscar at a young age, becoming a new generation's academy favorite. But today's insight into her role preparation and enthusiasm made him truly appreciate her talent.

In her successful career, choosing to do a small role in an indie film was impressive.

In the previous life, Anton's scenes with Jennifer lacked this depth. Though she performed well, it wasn't astonishing. Anton's shortcomings in acting might have hindered the film's overall quality.

Now, acting alongside Jennifer, Renly felt excited. Only by challenging strong actors can one improve. Acting with a genius was exhilarating.

"So, why did you choose this script?" Jennifer, pulling herself back from her thoughts, asked Renly the same question.

Renly gestured at Jennifer, "Like you, I liked the script." This made Jennifer smile. "I think this role is an interesting challenge. Jacob explores love's most realistic questions: is love a momentary spark or a long-lasting companionship?"

Jennifer thoughtfully hummed, then asked, "Which do you think it is?"