Andrew Garfield rose to prominence with his role in David Fincher’s The Social Network, but it was his portrayal of Spider-Man that truly catapulted him to household fame. Despite the success, Garfield’s reflections on the experience are not always entirely positive, revealing a mix of emotions associated with playing the iconic superhero.
Initially signed on for three Amazing Spider-Man movies, Andrew Garfield’s portrayal of the beloved superhero came to an unexpected halt after just two films, and the proposed Sinister Six movie met a similar fate. The actor admitted that he admires Mission Impossible star Tom Cruise.
Andrew Garfield Is In Awe With Tom Cruise
In an interview with Total Film, Andrew Garfield was questioned about the weighty decision of portraying Spider-Man and the fame that would inevitably follow. The interviewer inquired whether his childhood admiration for the web-slinging hero played a pivotal role in his decision to take on the iconic role.
In response, Garfield expressed that his childhood love for Spider-Man was indeed the primary driving force behind accepting the role. Emphasizing the opportunity to embody his favorite character for an extended period, he couldn’t resist the chance.
However, he acknowledged the challenge of dealing with fame but understood the benefits it could bring. As a creative individual, he aimed to strike a balance by engaging in theater and choosing roles that would preserve his identity as an actor, rather than being solely perceived as a movie star.
“As a creative person, I knew I would have to balance it out with theatre [Garfield appeared with Philip Seymour Hoffman in Mike Nichols’ 2012 revival of Death of a Salesman], and with waiting for the right movies to come along that would make sure that I stayed an actor, rather than this idea of a movie star. I love movie stars. I love The Rock. I f*cking love Tom Cruise. This is in no way a detriment to them. “
The actor was also inquired how he perceives films, to which his response was as follows.
Andrew Garfield Explains How He Perceives Films
Garfield expressed his personal perspective, stating that he is drawn to films where the director’s vision serves the story and characters, much like Sidney Lumet’s works such as Network, Dog Day Afternoon, and Serpico, or films from Mike Nichols like Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and The Graduate. He believes that a great movie leaves the audience discussing the story and the characters rather than fixating on the director’s distinct style.
“I’m just saying that it’s not for me, personally. What turns me on is… You know, I look at Sidney Lumet movies. I look at Network, Dog Day Afternoon, Serpico. I’m like, “Who directed those movies?” You can’t tell it’s the same person. There’s an artist that is serving the story. You come away talking about the story, and talking about the character.”
The Amazing Spider-Man can be streamed on Disney+.
Source: Gamesradar