Andrew Garfield is facing criticism after making a pointed comment about billionaires while promoting his upcoming historical film The Uprising. The actor, who plays a leader known as The Ploughman, was asked what he hoped audiences would take away from the movie, which is inspired by England’s Peasants’ Revolt of 1381. Garfield said he hoped the story would make wealthy viewers think seriously about the issues explored in the film and even joked that billionaires should be “scared” to watch it. The remark received enthusiastic applause at the screening, but reactions online were far more divided. Some critics questioned whether Garfield was the right person to make such a statement, pointing to his reported multimillion-dollar net worth. Others argued that being financially successful does not prevent an actor from speaking about inequality or social issues. Garfield has said he hopes The Uprising will encourage audiences to connect the struggles of people from centuries ago with challenges that still exist today.

The controversy comes as Garfield continues to attract attention for several outspoken comments surrounding his recent projects. The actor has also addressed his friendship with Tom Holland, explaining why he had not yet congratulated his former Spider-Man co-star on the success of Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Garfield said he wanted to see the film before sending a message because he did not want to be insincere. He was also asked about a possible return as Spider-Man in Avengers: Doomsday, but once again avoided confirming any involvement. Meanwhile, Garfield has spoken about finally watching the Harry Potter films and acknowledging the controversy surrounding author J.K. Rowling while praising the many artists who worked on the movies. Whether audiences agree with Garfield’s opinions or not, his comments continue to generate discussion well beyond the screen.