Body Language Expert Makes Bold Claim About Andrew Garfield's Spider-Man Rumor Denial

There are a lot of questions floating in the ether about what Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) might hold. One of the most intriguing is exactly what's going on with the upcoming "Spider-Man: No Way Home." In 2020, rumors began circulating that the third installment of the latest series focused on everyone's favorite web-slinger would be bringing Spider-Men of eras past — Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield — to appear alongside Tom Holland in a multiverse-fueled twist (via Collider). But more recently, fans have gotten some conflicting information.

In recent interviews, including on Josh Horowitz's podcast "Happy Sad Confused," Garfield has said that he hasn't been approached to reprise his take on Peter Parker. This type of frank denial would normally put the story to rest. However, considering how seriously the MCU takes secrecy, Garfield's statements have only fueled more speculation. Is he telling the truth, or is this all part of a long game to make sure his inevitable appearance in "No Way Home" is a surprise for fans?

That's one question we want to get to the bottom of. Looper reached out to Joseph Hoelscher, a body language expert and Managing Attorney at the law firm Hoelscher Gebbia Cepeda PLLC, to get his professional opinion. After watching Garfield's denial, Hoelscher told us that he believes the actor is telling the truth about not getting the call to appear in the film. However, he also put forward a theory about what else Garfield might be trying to say with his statement.

When we asked Hoelscher to give his thoughts on Garfield's "No Way Home" denial, he told us, "My impression is he's not been involved but wants to be and is trying to pressure the studio." He went on to posit that Garfield's statement may have been drawing on what he sees as British cultural communication customs. Hoelscher explained, "Brits tend to be more subtle, culturally, about these issues ... he expresses a different personal style, down to modifying his accent, he's making it clear he's not in the movie, and I think that's true, but he's doing it because he wants fans to demand it."

For further context, Hoelscher theorized that Garfield might be using this less overt style of communication to avoid revealing his "personal motives." As for Garfield's general demeanor during the denial, Hoelscher claimed, "His self-effacing style is not sincere, however."

Despite speculating that there might be ulterior motives at work in Garfield's statement, Hoelscher did reiterate for us that what Garfield is saying about the status of his involvement in "No Way Home" is likely accurate. He concluded, "That lack of authenticity was the only thing I saw as deceptive."

We'll know one way or another when "Spider-Man: No Way Home" hits theaters on December 17, 2021.