Andrew Garfield’s prolific career, in films as well as theater, which has been an endless source of critical and commercial success now faces sudden and unexpected backlash from the LGBTQIA+ community. The Amazing Spider-Man actor has recently made some comments which haven’t panned over well with the community and have made some people very uncomfortable with the way he has represented himself as a part of the burgeoning movement.
Andrew Garfield’s Claims Fail to Impress LGBTQ+ Community
2021-22 was the year of Andrew Garfield. The actor, who has been in incredibly successful productions in film and theater, made a mark with projects like No Way Home, The Eyes of Tammy Faye, and Tick, Tick… Boom! More recently, however, Garfield’s work in the theater scene extended to his role as a gay man in the 1980s in Tony Kushner’s revival of Angels in America.
In a recent interview discussing his role and the concerns over playing a gay role while himself not identifying as being gay, Garfield claimed he might “have an awakening” later in life. He further said:
“I had to trust that it was the right thing and Tony had asked me and maybe if he’d asked me, it was the right thing. It was as about doing honor, doing justice and knowing my story…
My only time off during rehearsals – every Sunday I would have eight friends over and we would just watch [RuPaul’s Drag Race]. This is my life outside of this play. I am a gay man right now just without the physical act – that’s all.”
The actor, although beloved by multitudes, failed to win over the faction of his fandom that was otherwise quite devoted to him for his fearless portrayal of Jonathan Larson, who, although heterosexual, has been an icon and an idol for the LGBTQ+ community.
Andrew Garfield’s Recent Remarks Draw Hostility
The current socio-cultural scene about gender politics and sexual identity has been a largely divisive one in the sector of media and entertainment. The concept of heterosexual and cisgender actors portraying roles that are gay or transgender has come under fire lately, especially as Hollywood’s debate on inclusivity and representation rises while actors who are part of the community still rarely find opportunities to portray roles that they wish to embody.
Recent biopics like Bohemian Rhapsody and Rocketman have also entered the debate for their casting of straight actors in roles that are quintessentially gay. The upcoming biopic on Wham! frontman and gay icon, George Michael has also found a vocal Theo James advocating himself for the lead role which received incredulous backlash, especially from singer-songwriter Adam Lambert. The debate still rages on.
Source: Gay Times
