Andrew Garfield Rules Out ‘Spider-Man 4’ Return

Andrew Garfield has insisted he won’t be playing Spider-Man again soon.

In 2012 and 2014, an actor aged 41 took on the role of the web-slinging superhero in “The Amazing Spider-Man” and its sequel. Later, he unexpectedly reappeared in “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” sharing screen time with previous Peter Parker, Tobey Maguire, and the current main character, Tom Holland, in a story that crossed multiple universes.

Despite Garfield stating he won’t collaborate with Holland for the upcoming movie in the franchise, he admitted that many might find it hard to trust his assertions given how adamant he was about not being involved in the 2021 box-office hit.

In response to the query, he admitted to Britain’s GQ magazine: “I’ll let you down. No, not this time. And I realize that no one will believe anything I say from now on.

But the We Live in Time actor didn’t entirely rule out a return to the series for good.

He expressed that if it resonated with his heart and seemed enjoyable, he might consider having around five children in the future. At some stage, he would need to begin setting money aside for their education expenses or similar costs.

More recently, Garfield openly confessed that he put in a great deal of effort to break free from the superhero storyline since he didn’t want his identity to be solely tied to that particular role.

At the Marrakech Film Festival, when questioned about the web-slinger, Andrew responded: “I’ve had to put in a tremendous amount of effort to reduce queries about Spider-Man, and I’m still striving to do so. It’s clear this process isn’t perfect, but I’m thankful for it.

Although he tried to distance himself from the Spider-Man series, Garfield admitted that the character was one he could never turn down, regardless of any potential challenges.

He stated: “I wouldn’t have declined the chance, despite being aware of the potential hazards and the trap-filled paths it might lead to, as well as the box it could put me in.

Yet, Garfield feels that his representation of Spider-Man opened up further prospects in filmmaking, including his work alongside renowned director Martin Scorsese in the 2016 movie “Silence”.

Apparently, Marty managed to produce a project close to his heart featuring an actor known for playing Spider-Man as the main character, portraying a Japanese priest. It’s quite remarkable that this film came to life with the assistance of Spider-Man, making it something truly special.

Every Spider-Man and Spinoff Movie Ranked

15. Morbius (2022)

On April 1, 2022, the release of Morbius felt more like an elaborate April Fools’ joke to moviegoers. The final film barely resembled its trailers, with key scenes and plotlines seemingly excised, and it seemed that during post-production, the entire project underwent a drastic overhaul to ensure it was evidently not part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Regrettably, that was one of the few coherent aspects of Morbius, which appeared as if cobbled together by Dr. Frankenstein – a haphazard amalgamation of disparate storylines and characters that simply didn’t mesh, brought to life in an unsettlingly disjointed manner.

14. Madame Web (2024)

As a devoted fan, I’ve always been intrigued by the enigmatic character of Madame Web, yet she’s never had her own ongoing comic series. Sony, in their eagerness to expand their Spider-Man universe, gave us this film adaptation titled “Madame Web,” starring Dakota Johnson as the eponymous heroine. In this movie, she’s not often referred to by her title character name. Instead, she’s an EMT who undergoes a near-death experience that grants her precognitive abilities.

Following this event, she’s tasked with safeguarding three young women who find themselves in the crosshairs of a villain possessing spidery powers. The storyline seems to have been substantially altered during post-production, and it shows: there are extensive reworkings through additional dialogue replacement (ADR) and reshoots, as well as some rather jarring special effects and questionable costume designs.

Compared to the dismal “Morbius,” which came out a few years prior, “Madame Web” manages to eke out a claim as one of the worst Spidey spinoffs ever made.

13. Kraven the Hunter

Have you ever pondered the origin of Kraven’s leather vest? I’ve got a film that might shed some light on it! Unfortunately, if you’re not particularly curious about Kraven’s wardrobe, you may find Kraven, an excessively lengthy and meandering Spider-Man spinoff (absent of Spider-Man), rather underwhelming. The protagonist, portrayed by Aaron Taylor-Johnson, is a hunter of men, characterized mostly by his chiseled physique. His conflicts primarily revolve around his father, played by Russell Crowe in an over-the-top and heavily accented Russian role, and the Rhino, who in this universe is a bumbling Russian criminal always carrying a child-sized backpack filled with medicine to prevent him from transforming into a large, gray-skinned monster. Sony has produced some excellent Spider-Man movies, both live-action and animated. However, these spinoffs fall short of their standards.

12. The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)

In this movie sequence, I found myself in a situation where I, as Peter Parker, visited Dr. Curt Connors for assistance regarding a colossal lizard. Instead of offering help, he mentioned his busy schedule with a new project and the need for solitude. He politely asked me to depart, saying, “I’m afraid I must ask you to leave.” Surprisingly, it was him who exited, allowing me to remain in his lab. There, I stumbled upon clues that eventually exposed Connors as the Lizard. Essentially, he asked me to go, but ended up vacating the premises himself, leaving me to linger. Making movies can indeed be more complex than it seems!

11. Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021)

As a movie enthusiast, I found that the initial Venom was more of a dark exploration into body horror, with Tom Hardy’s performance often veering towards the broad and comical. However, Let There Be Carnage feels like a delightful romantic comedy between Eddie Brock and Venom. They bicker over their incompatible living arrangements and even entertain the idea of separating to explore other possibilities (or dine on unsuspecting brains).

In contrast to Venom’s convoluted narrative, this sequel is stripped down to its essence, leaving many fundamental story questions unanswered. Some key supporting characters are absent for the first hour, and the plot is riddled with gaps that are hard to follow. The action sequences are puzzling at best, leading me to speculate that there might have been some editorial carnage within Sony Studios.

10. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)

In the sequel, the second Spider-Man film, there’s a slight enhancement over its predecessor. The action involving Spidey is convincing, Andrew Garfield seems more at ease as the wisecracking hero compared to Tobey Maguire, and he and Emma Stone share a tangible screen chemistry. However, the villains in this movie are lackluster.

On one hand, you have Jamie Foxx’s Electro, who transforms from a meek outcast to an insane power-hungry individual in just a matter of seconds. On the other, there’s Dane DeHaan as Harry Osborn, who bears a striking resemblance to a villain from Mad Max and a Troll doll. Despite some excellent scenes, you’ll need to endure some poor ones to appreciate them.

9. Venom (2018)

In the movie Venom, it’s quite a mess, but there’s something amusing about it once Tom Hardy’s character bonds with the alien symbiote. When this goo starts talking to him in a gravelly voice within his head (also voiced by Hardy), Venom transforms into an uproarious spectacle. The protagonist and his villainous counterpart trade witty banter, engage in comedic brawls with antagonists where Venom seemingly controls Tom Hardy’s body like a marionette, they even indulge in excessive amounts of tater tots. It’s as if Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy had merged into one character – and this composite character occasionally fancies biting people’s heads off.

8. Spider-Man 3 (2007)

As a devotee, I’ve always felt that Sam Raimi’s last Spider-Man film has been undeservedly criticized – even by Raimi himself, who once stated in an interview that it “didn’t work very well.” While it’s true that not everything about the movie is flawless, there are numerous aspects that truly shine, such as several of the strongest action sequences from the Maguire trilogy, like the gripping mid-air rescue of Gwen Stacy from a construction accident. However, many viewers have issues with the portrayal of Venom, particularly Raimi’s treatment of the black suit as an extended joke; in one memorable scene, a “villainous” Peter under the influence of his alien costume dances through the streets of New York.

Indeed, these moments seemed to be out of sync with the trend toward grim and gritty heroes that was prevalent in many superhero films at that time. But when you consider Spider-Man 3 as Raimi using Venom to deliberately poke fun at the concept of a “dark” comic book movie, the overall experience becomes more enjoyable.

7. Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

Jon Watts’ third “Spider-Man” movie holds a similar rank to Sam Raimi’s third “Spider-Man” film. Both are packed with numerous villains, but on the bright side, this motion picture effectively grasps and embodies the charm of Peter Parker as a character – a man who consistently falls short but never ceases his efforts to rectify his mistakes in the future. It also significantly introduces the multiverse into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) movies, making it a notable achievement in the company’s history.

6. Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)

In the second Spidey movie from Marvel, starring Tom Holland as the extraordinary web-slinger, the film takes a slight dip compared to its predecessor yet still delivers on romance, action, humor, and emotion. Although no one utters “with great power comes great responsibility,” the movie effectively conveys this message through Peter Parker’s predicament – he’s torn between his affection for MJ (Zendaya, who brings a witty charm to her role) and his obligations from Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson, portraying an exasperated character) to thwart a group of destructive elemental entities.

5. Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

As a movie critic, I must say that “Homecoming” is undeniably one of the most engaging films within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The characters are remarkably well-crafted, the Spider-Man action sequences are nothing short of exceptional, and even a street vendor’s request for a flip by Spider-Man leads to an entertaining spectacle. Are you not captivated?!? Tom Holland has truly been a boon to Spider-Man enthusiasts; his portrayal of both the witty, acrobatic Spider-Man and the heartbroken Peter Parker is commendable. Among all his Marvel films, “Homecoming” showcases his finest acting performance yet.

4. Spider-Man (2002)

With numerous Spider-Man films released annually nowadays, it’s not hard to overlook just how remarkable Sam Raimi’s initial “Spider-Man” film was back in 2002. Although the movie might appear slightly outdated today, it was truly groundbreaking for its time. It nailed every aspect: The design of the costume, the action sequences, the visual effects, Uncle Ben’s poignant demise, and Peter Parker’s intricate relationships with Norman and Harry Osborn. It transformed the perception of superhero movies among mainstream audiences, paving the way for today’s cinematic universes. And who can forget that iconic final scene where Spidey swings through New York City in a single, continuous shot? Many subsequent superhero films have attempted to replicate this memorable finale.

3. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)

In the expansive continuation of “Into the Spider-Verse,” the upcoming sequel introduces Miles Morales to Spider-Man 2099 and his group, known as the “Spider Society.” They aim to safeguard the multiverse from threats such as the Spot, a fresh villain with the ability to open portals between dimensions at will.

The original “Into the Spider-Verse” was visually stunning, but its sequel, titled “Across the Spider-Verse, looks even more impressive and daring. For instance, the dimension inhabited by Spider-Gwen is a vibrant watercolor tableau come to life, while Spider-Man India hails from “Mumbattan,” a bustling metropolis that blends shades of yellows and greens.

However, it should be noted that Across the Spider-Verse is the first part of a two-part story, and at times, this duality can be felt.

2. Spider-Man 2 (2004)

In Spider-Man 2, director Sam Raimi was able to delve deeper into the story by not trying to combine the origin and a separate adventure into one movie. Instead, he created a complex narrative focusing on Peter Parker’s relationship with the ambitious scientist, Dr. Otto Octavius, portrayed brilliantly by Alfred Molina, who delivered one of the best performances in the entire Spider-Man series.

Twenty years later, this film continues to impress (the train sequence remains a standout moment even among Marvel productions), and its relentless (nearly torturous!) stacking of problems onto Peter Parker’s character makes the eventual, joyful (though also bittersweet) ending all the more rewarding.

1. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

In many cases, quantity does not equate to quality, but “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” stands out as an exception. This film, one of the largest in the Spidey universe, remains unparalleled in terms of quality. The impressive ensemble features various web-slinging heroes such as young Miles Morales, courageous Gwen Stacy, and disheartened Peter B. Parker. Furthermore, it showcases a powerful and undeniable interpretation of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko’s moral viewpoint on selflessness, transforming their belief that anyone can be a hero into an exquisite animated tribute to their noble ideals.

2025-01-14 04:01