Andrew Garfield Open to Spider-Man Return, But Only if It’s “Unique” and “Culturally Additive”

The actor reflects on his Spider-Man journey, his role in No Way Home, and the conditions for his possible return to the iconic character.

Andrew Garfield has opened up about his potential return as Spider-Man, revealing that any future appearance would hinge on the project being both “unique” and “additive to the culture.” In a recent cover story with Esquire, the two-time Oscar nominee reflected on his role in 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home, where he reprised his beloved portrayal of the web-slinging hero.

Garfield first donned the Spidey suit in 2012’s The Amazing Spider-Man, but his time as Peter Parker came to an abrupt end after the underperformance of its 2014 sequel, The Amazing Spider-Man 2. The film’s disappointing box office results led Sony to collaborate with Disney, opening the door for the character to officially join the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This move paved the way for Tom Holland’s portrayal of Spider-Man, and Garfield’s eventual return in No Way Home, where he starred alongside Holland and Tobey Maguire, the original Spider-Man from Sam Raimi’s trilogy.

Garfield admitted to having doubts about No Way Home initially, particularly whether Tobey Maguire would be willing to return. “I thought Tobey is not going to want to do that. He’ll act every 10 years, much to my chagrin, and I’ve shared that with him,” Garfield revealed. “When I heard that he was leaning into it, I thought it could either be the greatest thing or the worst thing. I’m so grateful because it ended up being the most joyful thing ever. All the pressure was on Tom.”

No Way Home became a massive success, grossing $1.9 billion worldwide and serving as a validation for Garfield’s Spider-Man, whose tenure had previously felt unfinished. The film’s success has reignited interest among fans in Garfield’s potential return to the superhero role.

When asked if he’d ever consider playing Spider-Man again, Garfield said he’d “100%” be open to it—under certain conditions. “For sure, I would come back if it was the right thing, if it’s additive to the culture, if there’s a great concept that’s unique, odd, and exciting, and something you can really sink your teeth into,” he said. “I love that character, and if part of what I bring is joy, then I’m joyful in return.”

Garfield has always left the door open for a Spider-Man comeback, but he remains selective about the circumstances. He acknowledges that playing the iconic hero will likely be “the top line of my obituary.” In the meantime, the actor’s next project is the A24 romance drama We Live in Time, co-starring Florence Pugh, which hits theaters on October 11.