“I’m just angry”: Andrew Garfield reveals what his first day filming with Robert Redford was really like
Andrew Garfield was just 23 years old and about to share the set with Meryl Streep and Robert Redford in his first movie.
Recently, Andrew Garfield shared the story behind one of the most unexpected experiences he had while filming a movie many people have probably seen. Lions for Lambs brought together a major cast that included Meryl Streep and Robert Redford , but while the finished film looked polished on screen, Garfield’s first encounter with Redford was anything but.
Garfield arrived ready. Redford made him wait four hours
Garfield arrived early and completely prepared for one of those moments that, for an actor, can feel almost unreal.
But then, Redford took four hours to arrive .
For Garfield, the wait completely changed the excitement he had brought with him to set. At first, he was “terrified and nervous and pinching myself,” still trying to process that he was about to work for the first time with stars like Redford and Meryl Streep. Four hours later, those nerves were gone and had been replaced by something much simpler: “I’m just angry.”
So, how did Robert Redford finally show up?
When he finally arrived, Redford didn't seem nearly as concerned about the clock as Garfield had been . The actor remembered him as relaxed, casual and completely in his own world, which also fit with his reputation for being late.
Garfield even joked about Redford’s clothes, saying he still had the style of someone in his 20s , including the denim-on-denim look. But, ironically, those four hours ended up working in the young actor’s favor: by the time they started working, he was no longer frozen by nerves.
What Redford did next surprised Garfield
The real impression came once they started working. After filming his own coverage, Redford would ask Garfield what he thought and whether he wanted to do another take .
For someone making his first movie, having a figure like Redford ask for his opinion was unexpected. Garfield didn't feel like the newcomer who was simply there to follow instructions . Redford was giving him room to be part of the creative process.
