With a new trailer that revealed the return of Alfred Molina's Doctor Octopus, Spider-Man: No Way Home is teasing an expansion of the Marvel Cinematic Universe that could encompass previous cinematic incarnations of the webslinger. Along with Molina and Jamie Foxx's Electro, the cast is also rumored to include the return of both Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield's versions of Peter Parker.
While Garfield has emphatically denied any involvement in the MCU film before, the actor offered another canny response when asked about the casting rumors in a recent Variety profile.
"I understand why people are freaking out about the concept… because I’m a fan as well. You can’t help but imagine scenes and moments of ‘Oh, my God, how f—ing cool would it be if they did that?’" Garfield said. “It’s important for me to say on the record that this is not something I’m aware I am involved in.
"I know I’m not going to be able to say anything that will convince anyone that I don’t know what’s happening," he continued. "No matter what I say, I’m f—ed. It’s either going to be really disappointing for people or it’s going to be really exciting.”
Garfield also reflected on his own tenure as Peter Parker in the interview. Although his run came to an abrupt end after the release of 2014's The Amazing Spider-Man 2, the actor still thinks back on his time making superhero movies fondly.
"It was only beautiful," Garfield said. "I got to meet Emma [Stone] and work with her and Sally Field. I had karma with [Sony Pictures co-chairman] Amy Pascal, who was a mother figure, and we would fight, but ultimately, we loved each other on a deep level. We tried to meet as much in the middle as we could in terms of why I wanted to do this role, and what her needs were as the head of the studio."
Spider-Man: No Way Home is set to hit theaters on December 17. For more about the upcoming MCU movie, read about how fans are arguing if an old villain is hidden in the teaser and check out our complete analysis of the trailer.
J. Kim Murphy is a freelance entertainment writer.