Sally Field says Peter Parker is a troubled soul
At age 65 Sally Field has gone from “Gidget” to “Smokey and the Bandit” to “Norma Rae” to “Forrest Gump” and even “Mrs. Doubtfire,” but now the famous actress can claim she’s been in a comic book film as well.
Columbia Pictures
“No, I didn’t read the comics,” Field confesses. “When I grew up, I read Little Lulu!”
In an interview with Life Goes Strong published this weekend, the “Flying Nun” addresses her role as Aunt May in the new Spider-Man film, “The Amazing Spider-Man,” which opens in theaters.
“I was a comic book fan as a kid, but the girl ones,” she says. “Give me Archie and Veronica and Betty. But my brother read all the Spider-Man books and now he’s a world-renowned physicist. He’s three years older than me and really excited about the movie. So, finally I’ve arrived!”
Field’s list of contributions to film, telelvision and music is lengthy, full of acclaimed dramas as well as comedies. She describes how Spider-man’s saga deals with some dark, challenging themes and that attracted the “Brothers & Sisters” actress to the film.
“I think this Spider-man movie is a metaphor for how difficult the world is now. These big villains come in. You have to fight for the right thing,” she says. “These villains threaten our existence.”
The darker tone of “Amazing Spider-man” presents a different theme that the first three films directed by Sam Raimi and the trials of a kid in today’s society.
“Boy, oh, boy, if this younger generation could have that feeling then they would step up and help the rest of us make things right,” Field says. “You have to make things right no matter how much it costs you. How do you make enormous change? Obviously, it doesn’t come easily,” she says. “That’s what the movie asks during a time when the world is very difficult.”
“It’s crucial to ask the big questions,” she says.
Field is opposite Martin Sheen as Aunt May and Uncle Ben respectively, the patriarchs raising the orphaned Parker.
Andrew Garfield takes over Spider-Man with Emma Stone his love interest Gwen Stacy. Rhys Ifans plays Dr. Curt Connors a.k.a. Lizard, the villain in this Marc Webb film.
Denis Leary, Irrhan Khan, Chris Zylka, Campbell Scott and C. Thomas Howell also star.
“The Amazing Spider-Man” opens in theaters on uly 3, 2012.
