Andrew Garfield has not only become one of the most celebrated but also one of the most acclaimed actors in Hollywood over the past decade. Popularly known for taking on the superhero role of Spider-Man, he has been candid about his experiences and the discomfort he felt with the fame that accompanied success in the entertainment industry.
The Oscar-nominated actor even raised concerns regarding the pervasive influence of Hollywood propaganda and public relations in a previous interview, while reflecting on his discomfort with being in the spotlight.
Andrew Garfield Spoke Out Against Hollywood Propaganda and PR Culture
In a previous interview, Andrew Garfield opened up about his discomfort with the celebrity culture while highlighting the insidious nature of propaganda and PR, reflecting on its roots and the impact of media manipulation on individual well-being.
“‘The poison in the water started a long time ago,” he told The Guardian before adding, “With the birth of Hollywood and Edward Bernays [the American pioneer of public relations], propaganda and PR. We’re all in the same position now, because we all have the ability to self-promote.”
Despite the allure of fame and money that such practices offer, Garfield argued that they also leave individuals with a sense of emptiness in their pursuit of an egocentric life. “People are rewarded with money and fame, and ultimately the correct amount of emptiness for an egocentric life,” he further said during the interview.
With his success and constantly being in the spotlight, Garfield also expressed a longing to break free from such aspects of fame and the industry. “There’s part of me that will always want to shed all that,” he said while expressing his desire for authenticity amidst the superficiality of Hollywood.
Andrew Garfield Reflected on His Departure From Spider-Man
During his conversation with The Guardian, Andrew Garfield also reflected on his chaotic exit from the Spider-Man role. Following The Amazing Spider-Man sequel, his departure from the film series was surrounded by multiple speculations.
The leaked email from Sony hinted at tensions between the actor and the studio, suggesting that the actor was let go as Spider-Man after missing a crucial event. Addressing if he self-sabotaged his chances to continue playing the character, he said,
“No, I don’t think so — What I’ll proudly say is that I didn’t compromise who I was, I was only ever myself. And that might have been difficult for some people.”
Reflecting on his approach to portraying Spider-Man, he also revealed that he wanted to infuse the character with depth and meaning, drawing inspiration from mythological concepts. “That was always my intention and what I tried to do,” he said while admitting to potentially overthinking his approach and acknowledging his naivety at the time.
However, he later returned to the character in the 2021 MCU film with Spider-Man: No Way Home. Garfield is now set to star alongside the screen with the Oscar-nominated actress Florence Pugh in John Crowley’s upcoming romantic film We Live in Time.
The Amazing Spider-Man is available to stream on Disney+.
