Los Angeles – At a recent screening of his historical drama The Uprising in Los Angeles, actor Andrew Garfield sparked a wave of criticism after telling the audience that if any billionaires watch the film, they should be “scared sh–less.” The comment was made during a Q&A with director Paul Greengrass, where Garfield explained he hopes the movie galvanizes viewers and connects their personal struggles with those of 14th‑century English peasants.
Backlash from local voices
Garfield’s remarks quickly drew fire on social media and from local figures. Rick Davis, an associate pastor at Providence Church in Lynchburg, Virginia, called the film “socialist garbage” and suggested the actor was out of touch with ordinary people. Former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt highlighted the perceived irony, noting that many billionaires finance Hollywood projects and that Garfield himself earned a multi‑million‑dollar paycheck for a recent role playing billionaire Sam Altman.
Public reaction and commentary
Substack columnist John William Sherrod mocked the actor as a “world‑famous, multi‑multi millionaire” pretending to be a working‑class hero. Noam Blum, chief technology officer at Tablet Magazine, added that “more billionaires were involved in making this than will probably ever watch it.” The criticism centers on the contrast between Garfield’s wealth and his call for the ultra‑rich to feel fear.
Garfield’s film and its historical context
The Uprising dramatizes England’s 1381 Peasants’ Revolt, set after the Black Death when heavy taxes imposed by King Richard II’s court to fund the Hundred Years’ War pushed impoverished commoners to the brink. Garfield portrays a fictional character named Ploughman, while actor Cosmo Jarvis plays historical rebel leader Wat Tyler.
Response from the production team
Neither Garfield nor Greengrass responded to requests for comment from Fox News Digital. The film’s producers have not issued a statement regarding the controversy.
What this means for local audiences
For Los Angeles moviegoers, the debate underscores a broader conversation about wealth, representation, and the role of Hollywood in addressing social issues. While the film aims to draw parallels between medieval struggles and modern challenges, the actor’s off‑hand remark has reminded audiences that discussions of inequality often provoke strong reactions, especially when voiced by a high‑earning celebrity.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
