Fans of Andrew Garfield’s portrayal of Spider-Man have reason to hold onto hope. Garfield, who played Peter Parker in The Amazing Spider-Man series and made a memorable return in Spider-Man: No Way Home, has shared some intriguing insights about his potential involvement in Spider-Man 4. While the actor has not officially confirmed that he’ll return for the film, he’s become increasingly candid in interviews about what it would take for him to suit up as the iconic webslinger once again.
Spider-Man 4 is officially in early development, but none of the lead actors from No Way Home have definitively said they’ll return. Both Tom Holland, who currently portrays Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), and Andrew Garfield have commented on the possibility of coming back. However, while Holland has been more direct and optimistic about his return, Garfield has been more elusive, leaving fans guessing. In a recent interview with People, Garfield dropped some strong hints, explaining that his decision to reprise the role hinges on one key factor: the story.
“If there’s something that can be concocted and thought up that feels additive to the canon of that character, then for sure,” Garfield said. “I think what it would take is a great idea, a great concept. Something that is surprising and odd and fun, joyful. It has to be worthwhile.”
Garfield’s emphasis on the project being “worthwhile” suggests he’s not interested in returning just for the sake of fan service or nostalgia. Instead, he wants the story to have depth and bring something new to the character of Peter Parker. Garfield has always been passionate about the character, and it’s clear that if he returns, he wants to contribute to the Spider-Man legacy in a meaningful way.
Tom Holland and Zendaya’s Role in Spider-Man 4
While Garfield remains somewhat vague about his potential involvement, Tom Holland has been much more forthcoming about Spider-Man 4. Holland, who has portrayed Peter Parker in the MCU since 2016’s Captain America: Civil War, has already read an early version of the script for the upcoming film. In an interview with Rich Roll, Holland revealed that he and Zendaya (who plays MJ in the MCU) are both excited about the project.
“There’s a few things we need to figure out before we can get that really going, but it’s exciting. And I’m really, really excited about it,” Holland said on the Rich Roll podcast. “Obviously, one of the things to bear in mind with Marvel is that your film is a small cog in a large machine. And that machine has gotta keep running, and you need to make sure that you can fit into that timeline at the right time to benefit the bigger picture. So that’s one of the challenges we’re facing.”
The fact that Holland and Zendaya have read a script and are looking forward to the film is good news for fans who loved their chemistry in the previous Spider-Man movies. Producer Amy Pascal has also confirmed that Spider-Man 4 is definitely happening, with both Holland and Zendaya reprising their roles. However, the project has faced some delays due to the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strikes that occurred in 2023. Fortunately, the project is now progressing toward production.
While the story details of Spider-Man 4 are still under wraps, it’s clear that Marvel Studios has big plans for the character’s future. At the end of Spider-Man: No Way Home, Peter Parker makes the ultimate sacrifice by erasing everyone’s memory of him, including his closest friends and loved ones. This decision leaves Peter completely alone, and he is forced to start over as an unknown vigilante in New York City. Spider-Man 4 is expected to pick up from this point, following Peter as he navigates life in a world where no one knows who he is.
The Possibility of Another Spider-Verse Crossover
One of the biggest questions surrounding Spider-Man 4 is whether Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire will return for another Spider-Verse crossover. Spider-Man: No Way Home brought all three live-action Spider-Men together in an unprecedented cinematic event, and fans have been clamoring for more ever since.
While Garfield hasn’t outright denied the possibility of another crossover, he has remained coy about the subject. In previous interviews, he teased that he would “100% come back” if the story was right. This sentiment aligns with his recent comments about wanting the project to be “worthwhile” and “additive” to the character’s canon.
Even if Spider-Man 4 doesn’t involve a repeat of the multiverse storyline from No Way Home, there’s still a chance that Garfield and Maguire could return in future Marvel films. One possibility is Avengers: Secret Wars, which is set to be a massive event in the MCU. The comic book version of Secret Wars features multiple versions of the same characters from different universes, which would be a perfect opportunity to bring Garfield and Maguire back into the fold. Additionally, there are rumors that Robert Downey Jr. could return as Doctor Doom in the film, adding even more excitement to the potential crossover.
For now, though, it seems that Spider-Man 4 will focus primarily on continuing Tom Holland’s storyline. The movie is expected to explore Peter’s new status quo as a lone vigilante, while also setting the stage for his future role in the MCU. Given Spider-Man’s importance to the larger MCU narrative, it’s likely that Spider-Man 4 will tie into upcoming films like Avengers: Secret Wars and Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.
The MCU’s Bigger Picture and Spider-Man’s Role
Marvel Studios has always prided itself on creating a cohesive cinematic universe, where each film is interconnected and contributes to a larger storyline. This approach has made the MCU one of the most successful franchises in film history, but it also presents certain challenges. As Holland pointed out in his interview, Spider-Man 4 needs to fit into the MCU’s larger timeline and benefit the overall narrative.
“Obviously, one of the things to bear in mind with Marvel is that your film is a small cog in a large machine. And that machine has gotta keep running, and you need to make sure that you can fit into that timeline at the right time to benefit the bigger picture,” Holland explained.
This interconnected approach means that Spider-Man 4 won’t exist in isolation. It will likely tie into other MCU films and storylines, particularly the upcoming Avengers movies. However, fans can also expect the film to focus on Peter Parker’s personal journey as he comes to terms with the consequences of his actions in No Way Home.
At the end of No Way Home, Peter is left completely alone, with no friends or family who remember him. This emotional and psychological isolation will likely be a major theme in Spider-Man 4, as Peter struggles to rebuild his life and identity. It’s also possible that the film will explore Peter’s role as a hero in a world that no longer knows who he is, which could lead to some interesting character development.
What Lies Ahead for Spider-Man?
While there are still many unanswered questions about Spider-Man 4, one thing is clear: the future of Spider-Man in the MCU is bright. With Tom Holland, Zendaya, and producer Amy Pascal all on board, the film is shaping up to be another exciting installment in the beloved franchise. Whether or not Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire will return remains to be seen, but fans can rest assured that Marvel has big plans for the character.
As the MCU continues to expand, Spider-Man will undoubtedly play a key role in the larger narrative, particularly as the franchise builds toward Avengers: Secret Wars. For now, though, fans will have to wait for more details about Spider-Man 4 and Garfield’s potential return.