Andrew Garfield Once Pitched a Bisexual Spider-Man, and Wanted Michael B. Jordan as Peter Parker's Male MJ

Andrew Garfield's Spider-Man was never afraid to challenge expectations, but one idea he floated in 2013 was particularly unexpected. The actor suggested that Peter Parker could explore his sexuality and joked about turning Mary Jane Watson into a male love interest.

Garfield even had a potential actor in mind for the role, which was Michael B Jordan. His comments have resurfaced online, once again prompting reactions from Spider-Man fans who remain divided over the idea of reimagining one of Marvel's most recognisable heroes.

The 'Gay Spider-Man' Pitch Resurfaces

In July 2013, while promoting The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Garfield told Entertainment Weekly that he had discussed the possibility of giving Peter Parker a male love interest with producer Matt Tolmach.

Garfield explained that he had been thinking about the character's relationship with Mary Jane, commonly known as MJ, and wondered what would happen if the character was a man.

'I was kind of joking, but kind of not joking about MJ,' Garfield said at the time. He went on to say: 'What if MJ is a dude? Why can't we discover that Peter is exploring his sexuality? It's hardly even groundbreaking... So why can't he be gay? Why can't he be into boys?'

The actor also suggested Michael B Jordan as his ideal choice to play Peter's hypothetical male love interest. Garfield praised Jordan's charisma and talent before adding: 'It'd be even better. We'd have interracial bisexuality!'

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 director Marc Webb was also asked about Garfield's suggestion at the time and appeared to recognise the idea, responding: 'Michael B Jordan, I know.'

Garfield's comments also came at a time when superhero comics already had LGBTQ+ characters. DC, for example, has a long history of queer characters, including Batwoman and Green Lantern-related characters.

Fans React With Blunt Comments

As the old interview resurfaced, social media reactions ranged from humorous memes to criticism from fans who felt the suggestion did not fit Peter Parker's established character.

Some commenters argued that Peter's long-running romantic history with MJ and Gwen Stacy, the other love interest, should remain intact. One comment read: 'Make your own new gay superhero if you want one. Stop culturally appropriating to make worse what others have done far better.'

Other commenters were more blunt, with one writing: 'Bro if you wanna do some gay sh** just download grindr.'

Some took a more mocking approach, joking that Garfield was effectively pitching his own fan fiction rather than something that belonged in a Spider-Man film.

Inside Andrew Garfield's Spider-Man Films

Garfield played Peter Parker in Marc Webb's The Amazing Spider-Man in 2012 before returning for The Amazing Spider-Man 2 in 2014.

His version of Peter had a particularly strong romantic storyline with Gwen Stacy, played by Emma Stone. In the first film, Peter and Gwen develop a relationship while Peter is adjusting to his new life as Spider-Man.

That relationship became even more important in the sequel, where Peter struggles to balance his responsibilities as Spider-Man with his relationship with Gwen. The film also introduced Jamie Foxx as Electro and Dane DeHaan as Harry Osborn.

Mary Jane, meanwhile, never became Peter's romantic partner in Garfield's two films. Shailene Woodley had been cast as MJ for The Amazing Spider-Man 2, but her scenes were ultimately cut.

The series ended after two films, with Sony and Marvel later reaching an agreement that led to Tom Holland taking over the role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Garfield eventually returned as Spider-Man in Spider-Man: No Way Home alongside Holland and Tobey Maguire.

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