Earlier than He Grew to become Spider-Man, Andrew Garfield Starred In A Tom Cruise Flop

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Andrew Garfield has turned himself into fairly the actor over the past decade or so. Not solely does he star in acclaimed movies comparable to “Tick, Tick…Growth!” or the not too long ago launched “We Dwell in Time” for A24, however he is additionally able to delivering the products in blockbusters as nicely. He was a serious purpose why 2021’s “Spider-Man: No Method Residence” grew to become one of many greatest motion pictures ever. However earlier than he grew to become an A-list actor able to strolling comfortably in each of those worlds, he starred in an oft-forgotten drama alongside Tom Cruise. 

The film was 2007’s “Lions for Lambs,” directed by cinematic legend Robert Redford, who additionally stars within the movie. Not solely that, however Meryl Streep, one of many best actors of all time, was within the movie as nicely, as was future large star Michael Peña. In hindsight, it seems like a assassin’s row of expertise. For Garfield, it was a giant break, changing into simply his second main film credit score after “Boy A.” Regardless of the expertise pool, “Lions for Lambs” was a vital flop and a business disappointment.

“Lions for Lambs” holds a fairly awful 28% vital approval ranking on Rotten Tomatoes to go along with an equally awful 47% viewers rating. That reception was mirrored on the field workplace, because the movie made simply $64.8 million worldwide in opposition to a $35 million price range. On condition that residence video and cable have been a much bigger deal on the time, the film might need finally made its a reimbursement. Nonetheless, it was removed from successful, to place it mildly.

The movie facilities on a pair of younger males who’re impressed by their idealistic professor Dr. Mallery (Redford) to do one thing significant with their lives. So, they be part of the army and ship off to Afghanistan. Their experiences tie collectively two seemingly unrelated tales. In California, Mallery is making an attempt to get via to a disaffected pupil named Todd (Garfield), whereas in Washington, D.C., a presidential candidate (Cruise) is ready to provide a journalist (Streep) the inside track of her profession.

Lions for Lambs did not work, but it surely helped Andrew Garfield construct his profession

Oddly sufficient, the extra operating Tom Cruise does in a film, the more cash the film tends to make on the field workplace. Coincidentally, Cruise does exactly zero operating in “Lions for Lambs.” Whereas this disappointment did not damage the careers of Cruise or any of the opposite titans concerned, it did not assist Garfield as a lot as an acclaimed hit might need at the moment. Nonetheless, Garfield managed to construct off of this function right into a rattling positive profession in Hollywood within the years that adopted.

Garfield would go on to star in movies like “The Imaginarium of Physician Parnassus,” “By no means Let Go,” and David Fincher’s massively acclaimed “The Social Community” earlier than finally getting the possibility to play one of many greatest superheroes on the planet, Spider-Man, when he took over for Tobey Maguire in 2012 with the discharge of “The Wonderful Spider-Man.” Sadly, the actor’s time within the function was reduce quick after “The Wonderful Spider-Man 2” fell in need of sky-high expectations, despite the fact that it was a giant hit on paper.

After his time as Peter Parker got here to an finish (earlier than his sudden return in “No Method Residence”), he determined to concentrate on non-franchise fare comparable to “99 Houses,” “Hacksaw Ridge,” “Silence,” and “Beneath the Silver Lake.” He has since been nominated for 2 Oscars, three BAFTAs, an Emmy, and gained a Golden Globe. Protected to say, every little thing labored out simply positive in the long run.

“Lions for Lambs” is streaming on MGM+, or you’ll be able to seize the film on Blu-ray by way of Amazon.

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