Andrew Garfield’s time as Spider-Man may have ended on a bittersweet note, but the actor has remained gracious and positive in the years since stepping away from the role.
Originally, Sony had ambitious plans for The Amazing Spider-Man universe — with at least four films in the main series and several villain-focused spin-offs in development. However, those plans were quietly shelved following the underwhelming box office performance of The Amazing Spider-Man 2. The disappointing return prompted Sony to make a pivotal move: partnering with Marvel Studios to bring Spider-Man into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. That shift ultimately led to a fresh start for the character — and a new actor behind the mask.
Enter Tom Holland. While recasting an iconic role is never easy, Garfield didn’t let ego get in the way. In fact, he’s spoken publicly about how excited he is to see Holland take on the role, and he’s had nothing but praise for the young actor.
“It feels lovely, especially because Tom Holland is a really, really great actor,” Garfield told ET. “He was in this movie The Impossible, and he was just this incredibly powerful, sensitive, just wonderful young actor.”
Garfield also admitted that stepping away from the Spider-Man spotlight has had its upsides. “I’m just really excited to just be a fan again as opposed to bearing the weight of it,” he said.
It’s rare to see that kind of humility in Hollywood, especially when dealing with a character as globally beloved as Spider-Man. Garfield’s appreciation for the role, and his support for his successor, show real character. Fans may still debate which version of the wall-crawler is the best, but one thing’s clear — Andrew Garfield has earned his place in Spidey history.
What do you think of Tom Holland’s take on Spider-Man? Are you hoping to see more of Garfield’s version someday? Let us know in the comments!