Andrew Garfield SaysHacksaw RidgeDirector Mel Gibson ‘Has Done a Lot of Healing,’ ‘Deserves to Make Films’ (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Andrew Garfield (left) and Mel Gibson (right) worked together on ‘Hacksaw Ridge.'.Photo:Darren Gerrish/WireImage for Ralph Lauren; VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty

Darren Gerrish/WireImage for Ralph Lauren; VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty

Andrew Garfieldhas nothing but fond memories of working with directorMel Gibsonon the 2016 war dramaHacksaw Ridge.

Asked what he learned from working with Oscar-winningBraveheartdirector Gibson, 68, Garfield, 41, said, “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 said. “And that people deserve second chances, third chances, fourth chances. That none of us are infallible.”

Before making the movie about World War II soldier Desmond Doss, a pacifist who refused to carry a gun while serving in the Army, the Jewish actor said he had “deep, important conversations” with Gibson, who made anti-Semitic statements when he was arrested for a DUI in 2006.

Hugo Weaving, Mel Gibson, Teresa Palmer, Andrew Garfield and Vince Vaughn of ‘Hacksaw Ridge’ in 2016.Alessandra Benedetti - Corbis/Corbis via Getty

Alessandra Benedetti - Corbis/Corbis via Getty

“He’s done a lot of beautiful healing with himself,” Garfield added. “And thank God. Because he’s an amazing filmmaker, and I think he deserves to make films. He deserves to tell stories, because he has a very, very big, compassionate heart.”

“He’s the kind of director that would come from behind the monitors, just with his eyes wet,” remembered Garfield. “He knew when it was right and he knew when it wasn’t right. And I just really trusted him. And he’s a visceral storyteller so he can feel… He’s like he can’t help but feel everything. He’s a real empathetic guy.”

Andrew Garfield in ‘Hacksaw Ridge.'.Everett

“There is no excuse, nor should there be any tolerance, for anyone who thinks or expresses any kind of Anti-Semitic remark. I want to apologize specifically to everyone in the Jewish community for the vitriolic and harmful words that I said to a law enforcement officer the night I was arrested on a DUI charge,” theLethal Weaponstar said in a statement.

Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh in ‘We Live in Time.'.Courtesy of A24

Courtesy of A24

Eight years afterHacksaw Ridge, Garfield is starring inWe Live in Time, a tearjerker romance about newly single Tobias who falls for talented chef Almut (Florence Pugh). The story, which is not told chronologically, shows how the pair meet, embark on a romance and deal with Almut’s cancer diagnosis.

We Live in Timeis in select theaters now before expanding on Friday, Oct. 18.

For more on Andrew Garfield, pick up the new issue of PEOPLE.

source: people.com