Andrew Garfield draws criticism after urging billionaires to fear his new film
At a Los Angeles screening of his historical drama "The Uprising," Andrew Garfield told audience members he hoped the film would frighten any billionaire viewers, prompting a swift backlash.
Andrew Garfield addressed a crowd at a Los Angeles screening of "The Uprising," a film about England's 1381 Peasants' Revolt set after the Black Death. When asked about his hoped-for impact, he said he wanted audiences to feel a personal connection to the characters and hoped that any billionaire who watched would be "scared sh-less." The remark triggered immediate backlash, with critics noting Garfield's own substantial wealth from roles such as Spider-Man and a recent portrayal of billionaire Sam Altman.
Voices like associate pastor Rick Davis labeled the film as "socialist garbage," while former mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt highlighted the irony of targeting the very financiers of Hollywood. Additional commentators, including John William Sherrod and Noam Blum, mocked the statement as hypocritical. Neither Garfield nor director Paul Greengrass has replied to inquiries.
Why it matters
The incident shows how celebrity statements on wealth can spark public debate and affect a film's reception.
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