‘The Uprising’ First Trailer Puts Andrew Garfield at the Head of a Medieval Rebellion Against the Crown

Paul Greengrass has built his career on stories where ordinary people find themselves swept into extraordinary conflict, from the hijacked flight of ‘United 93’ to the high seas tension of ‘Captain Phillips.’ His latest project takes that same instinct for grounded, visceral filmmaking and drops it into medieval England, promising the kind of tense, immersive drama the director has become known for.

The film has had a winding road to the screen, cycling through different titles and leading men before finally locking into its current form. What began years ago as a Benedict Cumberbatch vehicle eventually passed through Matthew McConaughey before landing with its current star, giving the project a very different shape than originally planned.

That long journey has finally reached its next milestone. Focus Features has released the first trailer for ‘The Uprising,’ Greengrass’ historical epic starring Andrew Garfield as the leader of a rebellion against the tyranny of King Richard II, with the film set to hit theaters on September 11.

At the center of the story is Garfield’s character, based on the real historical figure Wat Tyler, a humble farmer swept into becoming the face of England’s 1381 Peasants’ Revolt. Set against the backdrop of plague-ravaged 14th-century England, the film follows his transformation from an oppressed commoner into the legendary leader of an uprising against the Crown.

According to the film’s official synopsis, Garfield’s character forms an army of ordinary people to face down the king’s forces in a fight for justice and survival. That kind of story lines up naturally with Greengrass’ filmmaking sensibilities, which have consistently focused on regular individuals caught in moments of historical upheaval.

Garfield rounds out an ensemble that includes Jamie Bell, Stephen Dillane, Tom Hollander, Cosmo Jarvis, Thomasin McKenzie, Jonny Lee Miller, Woody Norman and Katherine Waterston. That kind of stacked supporting cast gives the rebellion story plenty of dramatic weight beyond its lead performance.

Greengrass did not just direct ‘The Uprising,’ he also wrote and produced the film himself, working alongside producers Gregory Goodman and Joanna Kaye. Jason Blum, Lars Sylvest and Joe Neurauter round out the producing team, bringing together a mix of prestige drama and genre filmmaking backgrounds.

The technical side of the production carries plenty of pedigree as well. Cinematographer Pål Ulvik Rokseth handled the film’s visuals, while editor William Goldenberg, a five time Oscar nominee and Best Film Editing winner for ‘Argo,’ cut the final film together.

Composer Volker Bertelmann, a three time Oscar nominee who won Best Original Score for ‘All Quiet On The Western Front,’ provided the film’s score. That level of behind the camera talent suggests Focus Features is positioning ‘The Uprising’ as a serious awards season contender rather than a straightforward action spectacle.

Getting to this point took years of false starts for the project. The film was first announced back in 2022 under the title ‘The Hood,’ with Cumberbatch attached to star, before the project went quiet for an extended stretch.

By 2025, the film resurfaced under the name ‘The Rage’ with McConaughey set to lead, only for him to eventually depart the project as Garfield entered negotiations to take over the role. The film was retitled once more to ‘The Uprising’ in October of that year, around the same time most of its supporting cast came together.

Principal photography ultimately took place in Germany’s Franconia region, including locations around Nuremberg and the Penzing Studios near Munich. That extended path to production makes the arrival of an actual trailer feel like a genuine milestone after years of shifting names and casting.

Both Greengrass and Garfield bring real awards season credibility to the project. Greengrass previously earned a Best Director nomination for ‘United 93,’ while Garfield has two prior Best Actor nominations of his own, for ‘Hacksaw Ridge’ and ‘Tick, Tick… Boom!’

Jamie Bell adds another layer of pedigree as a BAFTA winner for his breakout role in ‘Billy Elliot,’ rounding out a cast that blends acclaimed performers with Greengrass’ signature gritty realism. With early Oscar odds already treating the film as a long shot contender, there is clearly industry buzz building around what Greengrass and Garfield have put together.

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