The-Greatest-Showman

"Then he's a smart collaborator."

Steven Spielberg's gentle advice caught Renly by surprise. He raised his eyebrows slightly.

It was unexpected that Steven would use the word "smart" to describe Harvey Weinstein. What was even more surprising was that Steven, usually so guarded in Hollywood's complex web of connections, was offering such candid advice—especially given the often turbulent dynamics in this Vanity Fair gathering.

Renly turned to Steven, his gaze questioning.

But Steven seemed unbothered, his eyes glazed from the alcohol, his body relaxed in a posture of complete indifference, leaning back comfortably in his chair. His flushed cheeks, the faint scent of champagne, and the occasional slur in his speech all hinted at his inebriated state. It was easy to dismiss his words as drunken ramblings.

But could it be that simple?

Could the famed Steven Spielberg, at such a high-profile event like the Oscar party, truly let his guard down and spill opinions on Harvey? Would such a mistake occur at this stage in his career?

Renly studied Steven thoughtfully, a smile playing at the edges of his lips. He motioned for a waiter. "A cup of hot milk, please," he requested in a low voice.

The waiter, surprised, glanced at Renly but nodded and left. In just a few minutes, he returned with the hot milk.

Renly took it, offering his thanks, before gently patting Steven's shoulder.

Steven's eyes fluttered open, his expression slightly bewildered. He accepted the milk, shaking his head in exasperation. "As I get older, I just can't keep up with the pace of these parties. Back pain already? God, just tonight…" He took a sip of the milk, stretching his back in relief.

The change in Steven's demeanor was immediate. His jovial tone returned, and he looked at Renly with appreciation. "Thank you for the milk. Otherwise, I'd be lying here, embarrassed."

During the short wait for the milk, Renly had remained seated, quietly observing as multiple groups of people tried to approach him. With unwavering politeness, Renly had firmly declined every attempt at conversation, skillfully sending them on their way with charm and etiquette. His calm, composed manner exuded the heritage of aristocracy, and it left a strong impression on those around him.

Steven's eyes softened as he watched Renly. He placed the empty cup on the coffee table. "Where were we?"

"You mentioned booking my slot ahead of time with Harvey. But I'm pretty sure that's still up for discussion, isn't it?" Renly teased with a smile.

Steven chuckled softly, clearly pleased with Renly's directness.

Thinking back to the "War in the Pacific" auditions, Renly had made a striking impression, not only because of his performance but his eloquence and bearing. Initially, Steven had favored Joseph Mazzello for the role, but in hindsight, Renly was a far better fit.

Gradually, Steven's respect for Renly grew. He was an intriguing young man. "Let's get to the discussion now," he said, all business now. The haze of drunkenness had completely lifted, and the energy in Steven's words was unmistakable.

"Have you seen 'Jurassic Park'?" Steven began with excitement in his voice.

Renly hadn't even had the chance to respond before Steven continued, "Doesn't matter if you have or not. The point is, Universal is planning to reboot the franchise, and Lang wants me to come on board as a producer."

Ron Mayer, the CEO of Universal Pictures, and Steven shared a close relationship.

"My opinion? We need a central protagonist."

Steven gestured animatedly, his enthusiasm infectious. "When we made the trilogy, it all started with an idea—just like with 'Jaws.' We never envisioned a series. But back then, the dinosaurs were the true stars. The human characters got lost in the shuffle, and the story became fragmented, repetitive. The quality diminished as a result."

"But now, whether or not we continue the series, we need to shift the focus. We need a human character at the core of the story. A protagonist who embodies growth, adventure, and transformation."

He looked directly at Renly, the intensity in his eyes matching his words. "So, are you interested?"

It was clear that Steven still had the same passion for film that had defined his career. His enthusiasm about the new "Jurassic Park" felt like the excitement of a young director tackling his first big project, not a seasoned veteran.

Renly, taken aback by the unexpected proposal, took a moment before asking, "Is this the same concept as 'Raiders of the Lost Ark'?"

Steven paused, then smiled knowingly. "Exactly. The same spirit."

Renly then hesitated before adding, "Do you like the fourth 'Indiana Jones' film?" he asked with a grin, eager to poke fun.

Steven was initially taken aback, then laughed warmly. "It's not easy to please the audience," he said with a wink.

Renly, however, didn't hold back. "Creative, yes. But it lost the sense of adventure. Indiana Jones as a space fighter? It just didn't fit. The charm of the original was lost."

Steven raised his eyebrows but quickly let out a laugh. "You don't pull any punches, do you?" But his expression turned serious as he tilted his head. "But are you sure you want to criticize so sharply in front of the creator?"

Renly paused, a slight smirk playing on his lips. "Actually, I really do like it. And I was hoping Harrison Ford might return as Indiana—well, Han Solo again, too. Can that happen?"

Renly's playful yet sincere tone eased the tension. It was a statement that offered praise yet hinted at disappointment, all while keeping things light.

Steven couldn't help but laugh again. "This kid," he said, shaking his head. He shifted the conversation. "So, what about 'Jurassic Park'? How did you feel about it?"

Renly's answer was reflective. "The ability of movies to create dreams is magical. 'Star Wars' gave us a dream of space exploration. 'Jurassic Park' brought the dream of ancient earth to life. It's remarkable."

He paused, thinking for a moment, before adding, "But, as for the story? I can barely remember it now, aside from the T-Rex and some flying dinosaurs."

His blunt response didn't embarrass Steven at all. In fact, he applauded it, delighted by Renly's candor. "Well, what if you were invited to star in the fourth film? How would you feel?"

Renly grinned. "I'd be intrigued."