The surprise appearance of Andrew Garfield’s Peter Parker/Spider-Man in the 2021 blockbuster Spider-Man: No Way Home was hailed as one of the best-kept secrets in Hollywood history. The depth of the secrecy was such that Garfield—who played the webslinger opposite Emma Stone’s Gwen Stacy in The Amazing Spider-Man films—even had to lie to his former girlfriend and close friend, Emma Stone, a deception that was finally exposed by the film’s premiere.
The moment the film hit theaters and the truth was revealed, Stone immediately sent him a text message that perfectly captured the humor and intimacy of their enduring bond, a message that went straight to the heart of his year-long theatrical deceit.
The Lie That Fooled the Closest Friend Throughout the intense period leading up to the film’s release, Andrew Garfield was forced to maintain an absolute and total denial of his involvement. He described the process as stressful but “weirdly enjoyable,” feeling he was protecting the fan experience. That rule extended to everyone, including Stone, who had been his love interest in two major films.
Stone later confirmed that her “Spidey-sense” was tingling, prompting her to repeatedly text Garfield and ask him directly, “Hey, are you in that movie?”
Garfield, fully committed to the secrecy, kept denying it with theatrical conviction, responding with lines like, “I don’t know what you’re talking about!” and playing completely dumb. Stone, left confused, admitted she eventually backed off, thinking, “Oh, I guess that means no, right? But it wasn’t no, it was yes!”
Enduring Respect: Despite the deception, Stone publicly praised Garfield for his commitment. “Good for him,” she said. “He kept it really close to the vest.” The film’s success, grossing over $1.92 billion worldwide, and the emotional payoff of Garfield’s return—featuring an emotional climax where his Peter Parker gets a direct, heartbreaking chance at redemption for the traumatic loss of Gwen Stacy—demonstrated the value of his dedication to secrecy.
The Final, Intimate Text Message The ultimate moment of revelation came when the movie premiered. Garfield recounted that Stone finally texted him after the premiere, not with anger or a dramatic outburst, but with a short message that was full of the affection and humor they share: “You’re a jerk.”
This intimate, joking reprimand served as a humorous footnote to the film’s legacy, proving that not even the closest person could break Garfield’s commitment to the Marvel universe’s top-secret mission.
Regarding your previous question about the Oscars, I can confirm that 12 actors and actresses have been nominated for two acting Academy Awards in the same year, a rare feat achieved by Jamie Foxx (Best Actor for Ray and Best Supporting Actor for Collateral in 2004).