Andrew Garfield recalls feeling ‘too old’ for Spider-Man role

Andrew Garfield thought he was too old to play Spider-Man but credits a key acting tip for helping him land the role

Andrew Garfield recently shared on the "Happy Sad Confused" podcast that he initially felt "too old" to play Peter Parker/Spider-Man during his audition for The Amazing Spider-Man. Garfield, who was 25 or 26 at the time, believed he wouldn't be able to convincingly portray a high schooler. "I felt I was too old... I know I got good genes, but I don’t know," he said. Despite his doubts, he was surprised to be offered a screen test opportunity.

Garfield credited his acting coach, Greta Seacat, for helping him adjust his mindset during the screen test. Her advice? Treat it like it "doesn’t f—ing matter." According to Garfield, Seacat told him, "You have to treat this screen test as if you’re making a short film with all your high school friends." That shift in mentality helped Garfield relax and perform more naturally. "I remember that feeling of ‘I don’t give a f—,’" Garfield recalled, saying it allowed him to feel emotionally free.

Although Garfield's run as Spider-Man was short-lived, ending after The Amazing Spider-Man 2, he reprised the role in 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home, which grossed $1.9 billion globally. When asked if he’d return to the character again, Garfield told Esquire that he would "100%" consider it if the project offered a unique and exciting challenge.