The Amazing Andrew Garfield

SINGAPORE — In its latest issue, People magazine has just named Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone as “Hollywood’s Cutest Couple!” who, according to the accompanying story, have been mixing “love and work after nearly three years together,” nonchalantly dabbling in a PDA (Public Display Of Affection) in any part of the world that the extensive promo for their latest starrer, Columbia Pictures’ The Amazing Spider-Man 2, has brought them to — London, Paris, Rome and, three weeks ago, in this Lion City where they graced the Earth Hour event.

But during the general presscon, except for tenderly touching Emma’s nose in an unguarded moment, Andrew was mum about the romance, and so was Emma. They simply shrugged off questions leading to it and opted to animatedly talk about the movie that marks their second screen caper together — with swinging glee, yes!

Fans of the legendary comic hero have always known that Spider-Man’s most important conflict is within himself, the struggles between the ordinary obligations of Peter Parker and the extraordinary responsibilities of Spider-Man. But, as you will find out for yourselves when the movie opens nationwide on Wednesday, April 30, Peter/Spidey is facing perhaps the greatest battle in his life, taking time out only when, as Spider-Man (directed by Marc Webb), he swings between skyscrapers and spending time with his ladylove Gwen Stacy (played by Emma who was memorable in, among other films, the critically-acclaimed Help as the white girl sympathetic to the plight of Black maids).

As usual, asking Andrew and Emma (or any Hollywood star for that matter) about their off-screen romance was a big no-no, although there was no need to since (their) actions spoke much more eloquently than words. Conversations sat separately with them (and with director Webb as well, plus Jamie Foxx who plays the villain; but more on them later).

As soon as I faced Andrew, I sort of teased him if he knew the whereabouts of Spider-Man in times of disasters such as Super Typhoon Yolanda that almost wiped out Tacloban City from the map.

Spider-Man, where were you when Yolanda hit the Philippines last year? We were waiting for you to save us.

(Deadpans) “Oh God. If only Spider-Man was real, he could have, he would have, come to the rescue of the victims.”

As Spider-Man, what do you think you could do to help the Yolanda victims?

“Rebuilding and…what do you think needs to be done there right now?”

As you said, rebuilding. Besides that, food and shelter for the victims.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah! If I were Spider-Man, I would be a great ambassador over there and help out. I’d love to go to the Philippines as Spider-Man.”

In your tights?

“Exactly.”

How do you feel in your tights? Don’t they distract from your performance?

 â€œHahahahaha!!! They’re not that comfortable but you have to suffer the Spandex in order to be credible as the Spider-Man.”

Which part is most uncomfortable?

“The head is really tight because it covers all your face. The body is easier, although it’s a bit tough on the shoulders.”

When was the first time you wore a Spider-Man suit?

“I think I was two-and-a-half-years old. My mom would make me a Spider-Man suit for Halloween. It was my favorite costume. That was my first moment of preparation for playing this role.”

So the movie is a dream come true for you.

“Of course, yeah!”

Most of Spider-Man fans are kids. What’s the best message or lesson that the movie can convey to these kids?

“You know what the best thing I love about Spider-Man is that he is a kid himself. He’s always trying to do his best. What I love about Spider-Man is his being a human, too. He empowers the kids to know that you can be a hero and you can also be just a regular human being and he struggles to be accepted. As human, he can also make mistakes like anybody else and at the same time aspire to do heroic actions.”

When was the last time you played hero in real life?

“Uhm…what’s the last heroic thing that I did? I don’t know. Let me think. Uhm, I don’t want to tell you what it was, hahahaha!!!”

Years from now, you will have kids of your own. What will you tell them about Spider-Man?

“Oh God! I would love them to discover Spider-Man on their own, you know. Maybe as they do it, I can answer some of the questions that they have. But you know, when I was a kid I looked up to Spider-Man as a symbol of protection, a symbol of care, of love, of community, of protecting the underdog. He’s a really hopeful symbol to me.”

Didn’t the fact that another actor (Tobey Maguire) had played the iconic hero put pressure on you?

“Uhm, not for me because I was given a job to do and all I have to do is give it my all. Just like Peter Parker. As Spider-Man, he’s just trying to do his best. Sometimes he fails, and he has to accept the rough and the smooth, you know. Just like everything in life. I get to play this part and I have to give all of myself to it. Some parts fail, some parts succeed. That’s life.”

If you had a choice, who would you rather be, Peter Parker or Spider-Man?

“It’s hard to be Peter Parker, but it’s great to be Spider-Man. Peter is imperfect, he’s all too human, he can experience cowardice and pain, he can feel not being enough, he has all of the same problems that we all have…girl problems, money problems, all problems. But the moment he’s in the Spider-Man suit, he feels a massive release. Despite the suffocating tights, he can really breathe easily. Spider-Man knows the right thing to do; he’s a vessel of good, heroic energy, and is ever ready in saving people. Take note that he derives great joy and pleasure in it, and that’s when his playful side surfaces.”

If you were Spider-Man in real life, which of the world’s myriad problems would you solve first?

“Spider-Man is a rescuer, he is a negotiator. He doesn’t like to fight; he likes to resolve things peacefully. So maybe I’d go to the Middle East and try to get the opposing forces to sit together and I’d mediate. You know, it’s senseless to be fighting over a piece of land that doesn’t belong to either of you. It’s insane to be killing each other over a piece of land that neither of you get to share. There’s a misguided thing that’s happening. The two books that they are coming from are born out of the same book which is the Koran…same stories, same characters, same symbols in them, the same struggles only with different clothing.”

Okay, three words that best describe Andrew Garfield who is neither Peter Parker nor Spider-Man.

 (With a serious expression) “The best person.” (Breaks into laughter) “No, just kidding. The three adjectives that best describe me? Oh God! Yes, complex, cool and casual.”

***

Asked if working with her friend

Andrew makes the experience more

exciting, Emma was somewhat evasive.

‘I think that working with people that

you are close with in real life is really

interesting,’ she said and left it at that.

And here are excerpts from the Conversation with Emma Stone (who was extremely nice and engaging, a sweet smile never leaving her face):

Of course, it’s obvious that doing the movie was fun. But what to you was the most fun?

“I think it’s the realization how much larger than life it is and the fact that the Peter-Gwen relationship is so grounded in reality, how hard it is breaking, you know…”

Any qualities of your ideal man that you see in Peter/Spidey?

“Empathy, yeah. His willingness to save people. That’s really great.”

Someday you will have kids of your own. What memorable Spidey experience will you tell them?

“I think the whole thing is a memorable experience. During this international press tour, I realize how much people, especially the kids love Spider-Man.” (Note: During the general presscon, 40 kids in Spider-Man costumes cheered the cast and the next day, graced the Earth Hour event held near the The Merlion in the vicinity of Marina Bay Sands Hotel where the Spider-Man entourage was billeted, along with the international journalists covering the junket.)

Where do you get the energy for all this?

“You don’t!” (Laughing) “You just drink a lot of caffeine! Oh yes, I try to get as much sleep as I can and I drink a lot of water.”

Out of his Spider-Man suit, how is Andrew as a person?

“He’s funny just like how Spider-Man is in the comic book. He’s witty and very energetic.”

In the first Amazing Spider-Man movie, Peter promised Gwen’s dying father that he would protect her by staying away from her, even if she and Peter share a romantic bond deeper than any promise. The love angle is as interesting as the feats of Spider-Man.

“Yes, at the end of the first movie, Peter and Gwen broke up but obviously it didn’t stick. In this new movie, Gwen has her wonderful moment. She graduated valedictorian and is just about to go to Columbia, with a standing offer from Oxford. At the same time, she’s dealing with the loss of her father and trying to find her way with this boy who clearly has a lot going on. Gwen’s story is so rich and exciting. I’m happy that the audience is getting it.”

 Do you see yourself in Gwen?

(Sighing and then laughing) “Whew, it’s a hard question! The thing I admire about Gwen is her integrity and her being courageous, independent. I wish but I’m not sure if I really have those qualities. It’s really hard to describe yourself. But I would love to be in Gwen’s shoes anytime.”

Does the fact that you’re working with your friend Andrew make it more exciting?

(Somewhat evasive) “I think that working with people that you are close with in real life is really interesting.”

(Reminder: For more on Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone, along with Jamie Foxx, tune in to Startalk on GMA at 4 o’clock this afternoon. Also featured is an interview with visiting Penshoppe endorser Josh Bowman, star of the TV series Revenge.)

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