Andrew Garfield under fire after telling billionaires to be ‘scared’ of new film
Andrew Garfield is facing backlash for remarks he made about his new movie, The Uprising - specifically, how billionaires should be ‘scared sh**less by it’.
The 43-year-old British-American actor is starring in the upcoming action period drama film, which is due for release on 9 September in the US, and a month later in the UK.
Based on the true story of the uprising that inspired the legend of Robin Hood, Garfield plays the leader of a rebellion against the tyranny of King Richard II in a fight for justice.
It’s set amid the real-life 1381 Peasants' Revolt in England, which saw mass uprisings in the country due to crushing taxation, post-Black Death economic tensions, and oppressive labour laws.
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Promoting the anticipated film, on 3 September, Garfield joined the director and writer Paul Greengrass to answer some questions and discuss the movie in Los Angeles.
A video shared by MovieReport.com shows the duo being asked by an audience member: “What’s your dream takeaway for people in the audience when they go home? What are you hoping for?”
Garfield explained: “Well, first I hope they come and see it, first thing. 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.”
He then added: “And I hope that if any billionaires watch it, they’re scared sh**less.”
The comment has sparked backlash online, with social media users pointing out Garfield’s own wealth.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, the Spider-Man star has a net worth of a whopping $16 million.
One X user questioned: “Isn’t he a multi-millionaire?” while a second asked, “What about millionaires like Andrew?”
A third wrote: “I’m sure he’s donating 100% of his money he made from this to his righteous cause … surely.”
And a fourth chimed in with: “Pretty sure he is a multi-millionaire unless I missed where he gives all his millions away. How much do you think he got paid playing Spiderman in TWO films? So yeah he looks stupid. All his actor friends are also multi-millionaires.”
A fifth wrote: “Who do millionaires think come next after the billionaires?” and a sixth agreed: “Millionaires calling out billionaires on behalf of normal people will never not be funny to me.”
A seventh added: “It’s hilarious watching these celebrity millionaires try to convince people they’re part of the working class.”
It comes as the movie pivoted from being The Uprising to The Uprising: The Rise of Robin Hood, and then seemingly back again.
Last month, the movie’s US distributor announced the film's full title as the latter, as well as a new synopsis.
As reported by The Guardian, this read: “Set against the true events of the Uprising that helped inspire the legend of Robin Hood, forms an army of the people to face the King’s might in a fight for justice.”
However, confusingly, since then, the marketing seems to have returned to simply ‘The Uprising’.
Its UK distributor told Metro: The Uprising is a historical epic about the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381, not Robin Hood. The UK marketing campaign does not make any reference to Robin Hood.
“Marketing materials posted by other countries that may appear in the UK online and on social media referencing Robin Hood are not issued or approved by us.”
Topics: TV And Film, Celebrity, Entertainment, Social Media, Money
Madison Burgess