Andrew Garfield recalls Robert Redford arriving four hours late to the set of Lions for Lambs, a delay that apparently did wonders for calming his nerves, if not for the production schedule.
The 43-year-old actor shared the story during an appearance on Amy Poehler’s Good Hang podcast while promoting The Uprising. The forthcoming Peasants’ Revolt film was, somewhat confusingly, marketed during its rollout as a Robin Hood origin story.
Why was Robert Redford four hours late?
Garfield was in his early twenties when he appeared in the 2007 war thriller alongside Redford, Tom Cruise and Meryl Streep. Redford also directed the film, giving the young actor two reasons to feel intimidated for the price of one.
“I’m terrified and nervous and pinching myself,” Garfield recalled. “Then Bob is four hours late, and it’s just like by that time I’m just pissed. I’m just angry.”
The long wait had at least removed some of the pressure by the time Redford finally arrived. According to Garfield, the Oscar winner was relaxed, casually dressed and seemingly unaware that several hours had passed without him.
“He still dressed like he was in his twenties with a double denim,” Garfield said. “He wasn’t aware that he was late. He was just on his own Redford time.”
Garfield described him as “a beautiful, beautiful man” while adding that he was “very late all the time to everything.”
Poehler offered a diplomatic explanation: “Well, God is fair. I mean, he’s so handsome there’s got to be something wrong with him.”
How did Redford treat Garfield on set?
Despite his relaxed relationship with clocks, Redford made a lasting impression on Garfield once filming began. The director regularly asked for his young co-star’s opinion, even after shooting his own scenes.
“He would shoot himself, and then he would look at me after his first take, and he’d be like, ‘What do you think?’” Garfield said.
His response was understandably cautious: “It’s great. Really good, Robert Redford.” Few actors making their first film would be eager to hand detailed notes to one of Hollywood’s most celebrated figures.
Garfield said Redford’s collaborative approach made him feel as though he belonged on the production rather than merely being allowed onto it.
“He made me feel like it was my set and made me feel like I was an equal and like he knew it was my first movie,” Garfield said. “He was so nice. He was so beautiful.”
Robert Redford’s life and career
Redford became one of Hollywood’s defining stars through films including Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting and All the President’s Men. He also worked extensively as a director, producer, environmental campaigner and supporter of independent cinema.
The actor died aged 89 at his home in Utah in September 2025. His death was announced by Cindi Berger, chief executive of publicity firm Rogers & Cowan PMK. No specific cause was disclosed.
Garfield’s account leaves a fairly balanced record of their time together: Redford could arrive very late, apparently without noticing, and still make a first-time film actor feel like an equal. Not ideal timekeeping, perhaps, but unusually generous directing.
