Yep, you read that right! Emma Stone just spilled the tea on how her ex, Andrew Garfield, pulled off the ultimate Marvel secret, even keeping her in the dark about his highly anticipated return in Spider-Man: No Way Home.
TL;DR: The Spider-Secret Scoop You Need To Know
- Emma Stone confirmed on Josh Horowitz's podcast that Andrew Garfield lied to her about his Spider-Man: No Way Home cameo.
- She was "confused" by his denial but now admires his dedication to keeping Marvel's secret.
- Despite her ex's big return and the emotional Gwen Stacy connection, Emma still hasn't watched the 2021 blockbuster!
Okay, Spider-Man: No Way Home hit theaters back in 2021, and its biggest secret was arguably the return of former Spider-Men, Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire, alongside Tom Holland. Fans went absolutely wild, but imagine being someone incredibly close to one of those returning heroes and having no idea it was happening!
That's exactly what happened to Emma Stone. The 36-year-old actress, who played Gwen Stacy opposite Garfield's Peter Parker in The Amazing Spider-Man films, recently appeared on Josh Horowitz's "Happy Sad Confused" podcast (the same one where Andrew himself confessed to the lie back in 2022!) and confirmed the hilarious deception.
"I asked him if he was going to be in that," Stone recalled, "and he was like, 'I don't know what you're talking about.'" Can you even imagine? Your ex, who you shared such a monumental on-screen and off-screen relationship with, just straight-up denying a huge, career-defining moment! "I was like, 'What? Oh, I guess that means no, right?' But it wasn't no, it was yes." The sheer commitment!
"I asked him if he was going to be in that, and he was like, 'I don't know what you're talking about.' I was like, 'What? Oh, I guess that means no, right?' But it wasn't no, it was yes."
— Emma Stone on Andrew Garfield's denialStone, with a laugh, admitted that while she was initially confused, she ultimately admired his dedication. "Good for him. He kept it really close to the vest," she told Horowitz. And honestly, we have to agree. Keeping such a massive spoiler under wraps, especially from someone so close, takes some serious acting chops even off-screen.
Andrew himself previously recounted Emma's reaction after the film came out. He shared that she "kept on texting me" asking if he was in the movie, and he continually denied it. When she finally saw him on screen, her response was classic: "She was like, 'You're a jerk.'" We love that friendly banter!
Why Keeping Such a Big Secret Was So Important for the Marvel Cinematic Universe

You might wonder why Andrew went to such extreme lengths, even lying to Emma. The answer, as many fans and insiders suspect, lies with Marvel's infamous non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). These contracts are ironclad, designed to protect huge plot twists and surprises that drive massive box office success and fan excitement.
The multiversal aspect of Spider-Man: No Way Home was a monumental event for comic book movie fans. Seeing three generations of live-action Spider-Men — Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and Tom Holland — unite on screen was a dream come true for many. Leaking that information prematurely would have undoubtedly lessened the impact and the global buzz the film generated.
Andrew Garfield's return wasn't just a fun cameo; it was emotionally resonant. His version of Peter Parker, still haunted by the tragic death of Gwen Stacy in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, got a moment of redemption by saving Zendaya's MJ from a similar fall. This particular arc, a direct callback to his character's profound loss, added incredible depth to the film and gave his Spider-Man closure that many fans had longed for. It makes his dedication to the secret even more admirable, as it preserved that emotional payoff for everyone watching.
Emma Stone's No Way Home Viewing Status: Still Waiting!

Despite all the hype, the critical acclaim, and her ex-boyfriend's pivotal role, Emma Stone still hasn't seen Spider-Man: No Way Home! Yes, you heard that right. Even with Andrew's incredible performance and the emotional stakes involving her character's legacy, she's holding out.
She explained on the podcast, "It would be very emotional, I'm sure. Yeah. But I heard it was fantastic. I will see it, eventually." Given the poignant scene where Andrew's Peter Parker saves MJ, visibly still reeling from losing his Gwen, her hesitation is completely understandable. It’s not just a superhero movie; it’s a direct connection to a deeply personal part of her career and past relationship.
Many fans who loved their on-screen chemistry as Peter and Gwen can empathize. Watching Andrew's character confront his past grief would certainly be a powerful, and perhaps bittersweet, experience for her. We hope she gets around to it when she's ready!
From On-Screen Romance to Enduring Friendship: Emma and Andrew's Bond

Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield first met on the set of The Amazing Spider-Man in 2011, where their undeniable chemistry as Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy quickly blossomed into a real-life romance. They dated for about four years, becoming one of Hollywood's most beloved couples before splitting in 2015.
Even after their breakup, they've maintained a remarkably strong and respectful friendship. Andrew has spoken openly about his admiration for Emma, calling himself her "biggest fan as an artist" and expressing "so much love and respect" between them. Emma, too, has always spoken fondly of their time together.
Their ability to navigate a very public relationship and breakup with such grace and genuine affection is truly commendable. It's a testament to the strong foundation they built, showing that former flames can indeed become wonderful friends.
These days, both have moved on happily in their personal lives. Emma Stone is married to writer and director Dave McCary (known for his work on Saturday Night Live), and they share a four-year-old daughter, Louise Jean. Andrew Garfield is currently dating actress Monica Barbaro, who is set to star in the upcoming film A Complete Unknown.
What's Next for Our Favorite Spider-People and Beyond in the Marvel Universe?

While Emma Stone might still be catching up on No Way Home, she's certainly not slowing down in her own career. She recently appeared on the "Happy Sad Confused" podcast alongside her co-star Jesse Plemons to promote her new film, Bugonia. The movie is hitting limited theaters on October 24, with a wider release following on October 31.
As for Andrew Garfield's Spider-Man, fans are constantly buzzing about the possibility of him swinging back into action. While he's been quite coy (no surprise there!), the door for his return remains open, especially with the multiverse continuing to expand in the MCU.
And let's not forget the current MCU web-slinger! Tom Holland's next solo outing as Spider-Man, tentatively titled Spider-Man: Brand New Day (or sometimes referred to as Spider-Man 4), is slated to hit theaters on July 31, 2026. After the emotionally charged events of No Way Home, fans are eager to see where Peter Parker's journey takes him next.
So, whether you're waiting with Emma Stone to finally experience the multiversal magic, or eagerly anticipating the next chapter for Tom Holland's Spidey, the world of Spider-Man continues to be full of excitement, surprises, and, apparently, a few friendly lies!
Frequently Asked Questions About Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield's Spider-Man Secret

When did Emma Stone confirm Andrew Garfield lied about Spider-Man: No Way Home?
Emma Stone confirmed this on the Monday, October 20, 2025 episode of Josh Horowitz's "Happy Sad Confused" podcast, while promoting her new film Bugonia.
Has Emma Stone seen Spider-Man: No Way Home?
No, she confirmed on the podcast that she still hasn't seen the film. She mentioned it would be "very emotional" but plans to watch it eventually.
What was Andrew Garfield's reaction when Emma found out he lied?
Andrew Garfield previously revealed that Emma jokingly called him "a jerk" after she saw his surprise cameo in Spider-Man: No Way Home, as he had kept it a complete secret from her.
Why did Andrew Garfield keep his cameo a secret from Emma Stone?
It's widely understood that Marvel Studios has strict non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in place to protect major plot spoilers, especially for massive events like the multiversal Spider-Man team-up in No Way Home. Andrew Garfield was likely contractually bound to keep the secret from everyone, including close friends and family.
What's Emma Stone's new movie?
Emma Stone's new film is called Bugonia. It's set for a limited theatrical release on October 24, 2025, and a wider release on October 31, 2025.
Sources
- Just Jared: "Emma Stone Confirms Andrew Garfield Lied to Her Regarding His ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ Return" (October 20, 2025)
- Us Weekly: "Emma Stone Says Andrew Garfield Lied About His Spider-Man: No Way Home Cameo" (October 20, 2025)
- CBR: "Emma Stone Says Andrew Garfield Lied to Her About His Spider-Man: No Way Home Role" (October 20, 2025)
- The Statesman: "Emma Stone says ex Andrew Garfield lied to her about his ‘Spider-Man’ cameo" (October 22, 2025)
- Times of India: "Emma Stone on how Andrew Garfield lied to her about starring in 'Spider-Man: No Way Home'" (October 22, 2025)
- Finger Lakes News Radio: "Emma Stone was shocked her ex-boyfriend and former co-star Andrew Garfield kept a Spidey secret from her." (October 20, 2025)
- The Wrap: "Emma Stone Confirms Andrew Garfield Lied to Her About ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ Role" (October 20, 2025)
- Bold News Digital: "Emma Stone Claims Ex Andrew Garfield Lied About ‘Spider-Man’ Cameo" (October 22, 2025)
- Filmy One: "Emma Stone Says Andrew Garfield Lied to Her About Spider-Man: No Way Home" (October 21, 2025)
- The News International: "Emma Stone spills 'Spider-Man' secret Andrew Garfield kept from her" (October 21, 2025)