Andrew Garfield faces backlash after telling billionaires to be 'scared' of his new movie
Andrew Garfield took heat on X after calling out "billionaires" while discussing his new movie, "The Uprising," Thursday at a Los Angeles film screening.
In a video uploaded by film review website, The Movie Report, Garfield and director Paul Greengrass answered questions about the historical action drama that depicts England's 1381 Peasants' Revolt. The story takes place in the aftermath of the Black Death, when heavy taxes imposed by King Richard II's court to fund the Hundred Years' War push impoverished commoners to a breaking point.
"What's your dream takeaway for people in the audience when they go home?" an audience member asked Garfield, adding, "What are you hoping for?"
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Andrew Garfield attended the "After the Hunt" Headline Gala during the 69th BFI London Film Festival at the Royal Festival Hall on Oct. 11, 2025, in London, England. (Kate Green/Getty Images for BFI)
"Well, first I hope they come and see it, first thing," Garfield responded. "Secondly, I hope it's galvanizing. I hope there's some awakening that people feel … that we all feel like our own struggles are being reflected in the struggles of these characters from a distant time and place and that it could be directive."
"And I hope that if any billionaires watch it, they're scared sh--less," Garfield added.
Garfield’s remarks sparked swift backlash, with critics highlighting the substantial wealth the movie star has accumulated throughout his career.
Andrew Garfield, Julia Roberts and Ayo Edebiri attend the UK premiere of 'After The Hunt' during the 69th BFI London Film Festival at the Royal Festival Hall in London, United Kingdom on October 11, 2025. (Wiktor Szymanowicz/Anadolu via Getty Images)
"When I first heard they were making a period film about Wat Tyler, I was pretty excited. But the more Andrew Garfield talks, the more it sounds like it's just going to be socialist garbage," said Rick Davis, an associate pastor at Providence Church in Lynchburg, Virginia. (Garfield plays a fictional lead character named Ploughman in the film, while actor Cosmo Jarvis portrays historical rebel leader Wat Tyler).
Spencer Pratt, a former candidate for mayor in Los Angeles, pointed out what he viewed as irony in Garfield’s statement.
"You mean…like the billionaires who greenlight your movies and stroke all your multi-million dollar paychecks? Or they good?" Pratt wrote. He added, "Ironically, Garfield just got paid like $5M for playing billionaire Sam Altman in Artificial."
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American actor Michael Stuhlbarg, American actresses Julia Roberts, Ayo Edebiri, Chloë Sevigny and British actor Andrew Garfield at the 82 Venice International Film Festival 2025. (Marilla Sicilia/Archivio Marilla Sicilia/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images)
"Hilarious that world-famous, multi, multi millionaire Andrew Garfield is cosplaying as a put upon member of the working class," Substack columnist John William Sherrod posted.
"More billionaires were involved in making this than will probably ever watch it," Noam Blum, chief technology officer at Tablet Magazine also posted.
Garfield has starred in major blockbuster films including "Spider-Man: No Way Home," "Hacksaw Ridge," and "The Amazing Spider-Man."
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Neither Garfield nor Greengrass responded to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Joshua Q. Nelson is a reporter for Fox News Digital.
Joshua focuses on cultural trends, education, and public policy. He extensively covered reparations developments across the U.S., the Department of Education, and immigration issues.
Joining Fox News Digital in 2019, he previously graduated from Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and received the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton Public Policy Certificate.
Story tips can be sent to joshua.nelson@fox.com and Joshua can be followed on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
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