It has been three weeks since the theatrical debut of Spider-Man: No Way Home and over a billion Marvel fans have officially witnessed the long-awaited return of Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield to the Spider-Verse. After denying his involvement countless times, Garfield has finally opened up about his experience returning as Peter Parker/Spider-Man.
Speaking with Variety, the Oscar nominee admitted that he was surprised when he got a pitch call from Amy Pascal, Kevin Feige, and Jon Watts because he never thought that he would have the opportunity to play Peter Parker again.
“The pitch was really, really enticing,” Garfield recalled. “They said, ‘You played this character in your way and what would you want to explore if you had an opportunity? If you were dumped into this other universe and faced with this younger you and this older you, how will you respond?’”
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Garfield went on to share what it was like filming with Maguire and Tom Holland, revealing that they’ve shot their scenes for two weeks. During their brief time together, he revealed that the three of them were able to bond with each other through deep conversations about their experiences portraying Spider-Man.
“I think the first time we were all in the suit together, it was hilarious because it’s like just three ordinary dudes who were just actors just hanging out,” Garfield shared. “But then also, you just become a fan and say, “Oh my god we’re all together in the suits and we’re doing the pointing thing!” There was talk about going to the bathroom and, you know, padding around the package. We talked about what worked for each of us. Tom was jealous because I have little zippers in my suit that I can get my hands out of very easily. To work his phone, he had to use his nose because he couldn’t access his hands. We would have deeper conversations, too, and talk about our experiences with the character. And to have Amy Pascal there, who has seen through nine movies, including Spider-Verse. It was a revelatory experience for her, realizing how much life and time she’d given to this character. That was beautiful and profound.”
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On being able to tie up loose ends for his version of Peter Parker, He expressed how grateful he is to Sony and Marvel for giving him the opportunity to have closure for his character, whose story was left on a cliffhanger after The Amazing Spider-Man 2.
“I am so grateful,” Garfield admitted. “I’m just really, really grateful that I got to tie up some loose ends for the Peter that I was playing. I love that character and I’m grateful that I got to work with these incredible actors, this incredible director, and Marvel in conjunction with Sony. It was joyful, and a feeling of closure for me. There was so many unanswered questions for my Peter, where we left it. I got to step back in and get some healing for him. And also really supporting [Holland’s] Peter, and honoring his character completing that trilogy, not distracting or detracting from it.”
Following No Way Home‘s successful debut, fans have been vocal about wanting to see Maguire and Garfield in another Spider-Man project, with some petitioning for the continuation of Raimi’s Spider-Man 4, and Garfield’s Amazing Spider-Man 3 which were both canceled. When the outlet asked if he’s considering reprising his version of the hero again, Garfield confirmed that he’s indeed open to returning to the franchise given that the project’s story will feel right for the character.
“Yes, definitely open to something if it felt right. Peter and Spider-Man, those characters are all about service, to the greater good and the many. He’s a working-class boy from Queens that knows struggle and loss and is deeply empathetic. I would try to borrow Peter Parker’s ethical framework in that, if there was an opportunity to step back in and tell more of that story, I would have to feel very sure and certain in myself.”
