Andrew Garfield had a playful message for the billionaires who might watch his new film, The Uprising, but it wasn't exactly warmly received. The Amazing Spider-Man star has found himself at the center of a social media firestorm after delivering a bold message to magnates while promoting his upcoming movie. During a Q&A session at a Los Angeles screening, the 43-year-old said he hoped the film would awaken audiences to the struggles of ordinary people and joked that he hoped any billionaires watching would be terrified.
In a video uploaded by film review website The Movie Report, the actor and director Paul Greengrass answered questions about the historical action drama that depicts England's 1381 Peasants' Revolt. "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," he shared regarding what he wants the audience to take away.
The Social Network actor added, "And I hope that if any billionaires watch it, they're terrified." His comments quickly drew criticism from social media users who pointed to his own multimillion-dollar career and the wealthy investors and producers behind Hollywood films.
Critics accused the actor of hypocrisy, while others defended the film's working-class themes. "You mean... like the billionaires who greenlight your movies and stroke all your multimillion-dollar paychecks? Or are they good?" Spencer Pratt, a former candidate for mayor in Los Angeles, wrote on social media. He added, "Ironically, Garfield just got paid about $5 million for playing billionaire Sam Altman in Artificial." Substack columnist John William Sherrod similarly posted, "Hilarious that world-famous, multimillionaire Andrew Garfield is cosplaying as a put-upon member of the working class."