Andrew Garfield Faces Heat Over His Billionaire Warning

Andrew Garfield expected conversations about class struggle when he signed on for “The Uprising.” However, what he may not have expected was becoming part of the debate himself. 

The actor found himself facing criticism online after remarks he made during a Los Angeles screening of the historical drama spread across social media. 

While Garfield was discussing the film’s themes of inequality and power, some viewers argued that his comments rang hollow coming from one of Hollywood’s highest-paid stars.

Set against the backdrop of England’s 1381 Peasants’ Revolt, “The Uprising” explores a period of social unrest that followed the Black Death. 

The story examines how crushing taxes imposed by King Richard II’s government to finance the Hundred Years’ War pushed ordinary people toward rebellion.

During a question-and-answer session at a Los Angeles screening, Andrew Garfield and director Paul Greengrass discussed what they hoped audiences would take away from the project. 

When asked what message he wanted viewers to leave with, the 43-year-old said he hoped the film would resonate beyond its historical setting.

“Well, first I hope they come and see it, first thing,” Garfield said in a video uploaded by The Movie Report, adding, “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.”

Garfield plays a fictional character known as Ploughman, while Cosmo Jarvis portrays real-life rebel leader Wat Tyler, one of the most prominent figures associated with the uprising.

The discussion took a different turn when Andrew Garfield added a remark that quickly became the focus of online conversation.

“And I hope that if any billionaires watch it, they’re scared sh–less,” he stated.

The comment immediately attracted criticism from social media users who questioned whether the “Spider-Man: No Way Home” actor was the right messenger for anti-billionaire rhetoric. 

Critics pointed to Garfield’s own financial success and the role wealthy investors and studio executives play in financing major film productions.

Among those responding was former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt, who challenged Garfield’s statement in a post on X. “You mean…like the billionaires who greenlight your movies and stroke all your multi-million dollar paychecks? Or they good?” Pratt wrote.

Pratt followed up his criticism by noting Garfield’s recent casting as OpenAI chief Sam Altman in the upcoming film “Artificial.” “Ironically, Garfield just got paid like $5M for playing billionaire Sam Altman in Artificial,” he added.

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Spencer Pratt wasn’t the only public figure who took issue with Garfield’s remarks. Several commentators argued that the Hollywood star’s comments conflicted with the realities of modern Hollywood.

Rick Davis, an associate pastor at Providence Church in Virginia, questioned the direction of the project itself. 

“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,” Davis shared per Page Six.

Substack columnist John William Sherrod also weighed in, writing, “Hilarious that world-famous, multi, multi millionaire Andrew Garfield is cosplaying as a put upon member of the working class.” 

Meanwhile, Tablet Magazine chief technology officer Noam Blum added, “More billionaires were involved in making this than will probably ever watch it.”

More From The Blast

Garfield Revives Longstanding Push For A Gay Spider-Man

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A few days before Andrew Garfield’s comments at “The Uprising” screening, another set of remarks from the actor drew attention for a very different reason. 

While promoting the historical drama, Garfield revisited an idea he first raised more than a decade ago: the possibility of a gay Spider-Man. 

Rather than introducing a new argument, he reaffirmed a position he originally shared in 2013 during the promotion of “The Amazing Spider-Man 2.” 

Looking back on that earlier conversation, Garfield said he still believed the character’s appeal came from the fact that anyone could see themselves behind the mask. “I just still believe that anyone can be in that suit,” he explained to Entertainment Weekly, while discussing the superhero’s enduring popularity. 

Garfield’s comments revived discussion about statements he made years ago when he openly questioned why Peter Parker could not explore his sexuality. At the time, he even floated the idea of Michael B. Jordan portraying a male version of Mary Jane’s role in the story. 

The conversation also showcased how much the Spider-Man universe has evolved since Garfield last headlined the franchise. 

While no live-action Spider-Man has been portrayed as openly gay, Marvel introduced Web-Weaver, an openly gay Spider-Man variant, in the comics in 2022. 

Andrew Garfield Reveals His Unusual Post-Filming Ritual

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Away from the debate surrounding “The Uprising” and the renewed Spider-Man discussion, Garfield also offered a more personal glimpse into how he copes with the demands of his work. 

The star admitted that filming Paul Greengrass’ gritty historical drama took a significant emotional toll, making it important for him to find ways to decompress after long days on set. 

Speaking to PEOPLE at the film’s Los Angeles premiere on September 2, Garfield revealed that his preferred method of unwinding is surprisingly simple. 

“I watch dumb movies. I watch dumb TV shows. I have a lot of dumb things,” he said before quickly clarifying that one favorite does not belong in that category at all. 

“Right now, always, the Paddington movies,” Garfield explained. He immediately corrected himself, adding, “But they’re not dumb! They’re incredible movies.”