Andrew Garfield Faces Online Backlash for Mel Gibson Endorsement: ‘It’s Always the Unaffected Dudes from the Same Demographic’

Andrew Garfield is experiencing a highly successful promotional tour for his forthcoming romantic dramedy, We Live in Time. However, this positive momentum seems to have taken a downturn following his remarks in support of actor Mel Gibson.

In a candid interview with People magazine, Garfield voiced his support for Gibson, addressing the actor’s controversial history filled with anti-Semitic, homophobic, and racist statements, all made without any apparent remorse. Below are Garfield’s insights on the lessons he’s learned from Gibson and his belief that Gibson merits the opportunity to create more films:

“I learned a lot, actually. I learned that people can heal. I learned that people can change, that people can get help. I learned that everyone deserves respect,” he stated. “And that people deserve second chances, third chances, fourth chances. None of us are perfect.”

Garfield elaborated further, acknowledging the progress Gibson has made on a personal level.

“He’s done a lot of beautiful healing with himself,” Garfield remarked. “And thank God. Because he’s an incredible filmmaker, and I believe he deserves to continue making films. He should share stories, as he possesses a very large, compassionate heart.”

Gibson infamously made anti-Semitic comments following a 2006 DUI arrest, making Garfield’s defense – especially as a Jewish individual – quite striking. Garfield and Gibson collaborated on the 2016 war film Hacksaw Ridge, a project that garnered Garfield an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.

Internet Users Reject Andrew Garfield’s Efforts to Revive Mel Gibson’s Reputation

Meanwhile, social media users have expressed their discontent regarding Garfield’s attempts to rehabilitate Gibson’s image. On the platform X (formerly Twitter), fans voiced their disappointment, claiming Garfield has squandered the positive perception he had cultivated during previous discussions, particularly following his passionate commentary about supporting Palestine on the Happy Sad Confused podcast.

Responses to Garfield’s ongoing defense of Gibson have been particularly fierce:

every time andrew garfield does a press tour he spends two weeks courting goodwill from the general public and then immediately defends mel gibson and i remember he’s like that https://t.co/WY1QD1RLP8

— brynn whitfield defender (@thenoasletter) October 17, 2024

Andrew Garfield blowing like a decade of goodwill defending Mel Gibson pic.twitter.com/C3RIWJZf9S

— hannah? (@hmlester) October 17, 2024

It’s always the unaffected dudes from the same demographic of the offender trying to tell the victims that we should no longer feel offended. You have no standing, Andrew, so have several seats.

— Serious “OG KHive” Black? (@NicsuPR) October 18, 2024

lol @ this right after Andrew humiliated his partner and dumped her for a Hollywood star

— sentient 6 (@sentientsixp) October 17, 2024

Spoken like someone who wasn’t targeted in Gibson’s unhinged, hateful rants.

— Neal Broverman (@nbroverman) October 17, 2024

Supporting Palestine one day, endorsing Mel Gibson the next pic.twitter.com/fpR0gD3UVK

— Dion (@dionrs94) October 17, 2024

Mel Gibson’s history includes numerous offenses, such as allegedly assaulting his ex-partner Oksana Grigorieva. He has also made disparaging comments about the African-American community in a taped conversation with Grigorieva, resulting in a restraining order against him.

Additionally, Gibson has a documented history of drunk driving incidents and battles with alcohol addiction. He made offensive remarks about the LGBTQ+ community during an El Pais interview in 1991, followed by the notorious DUI and anti-Semitic comments in 2006. Actress Winona Ryder has publicly recounted an incident where Gibson allegedly asked her gay friend if he could contract AIDS merely by speaking to him and made comments to Ryder about being an “oven-dodger.”

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