Andrew Garfield Reveals How Fela Kuti Inspired His Spider-Man Portrayal
Andrew Garfield Reveals How Fela Kuti Inspired His Spider-Man Portrayal
British actor Andrew Garfield has revealed that the music of Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti influenced his portrayal of Spider-Man, particularly the character’s physical movement and energy.
Garfield made the disclosure during an interview featured on the Track Star YouTube show in an episode titled “Testing Andrew Garfield’s Music Knowledge,” published on September 2, 2026.
The actor explained that he creates music playlists for the characters he portrays and began listening to Fela Kuti’s music after taking on the role of Spider-Man.
According to Garfield, the rhythm and sound of Fela’s music helped him develop a physical connection with the character and influenced how he approached the role.
He further linked Fela’s revolutionary image and music to Spider-Man’s sense of justice, saying the Nigerian musician’s influence could also be seen in the way he moved while wearing the superhero suit.
Garfield had previously spoken about Fela’s influence during a 2012 interview while discussing his preparation for The Amazing Spider-Man, explaining that listening to the musician helped him develop the physical confidence and agility required for the role.
