Full Breakdown
The Uprising: Trailer Unveils Paul Greengrass’s Medieval Rebellion Epic
7/16/2026, 9:04:04 PM
Trailer Release and Core Film Details
Focus Features released the first official trailer for “The Uprising” on July 16, 2026. The historical drama is slated to open in U.S. theaters on September 11, 2026 (U.K. and Irish release set for October 9, 2026). The film follows a farmer-turned-rebel who leads an army against King Richard II during the 1381 Peasants’ Revolt. The official logline describes the story as a “ferocious rebellion against the tyranny of King Richard II… a fight for justice and survival.”
Historical Background
The narrative is rooted in the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381, which erupted after the Black Plague devastated England and the Crown imposed heavy taxes to fund the Hundred Years’ War. Discontent over forced labor and fiscal oppression sparked uprisings across the country, culminating in a march on London led by the real-life figure Wat Tyler.
Key Creative Personnel
- Paul Greengrass – writer, director, and producer; known for “United 93,” “Captain Phillips,” and the “Jason Bourne” series.
- Andrew Garfield – stars as the rebel leader (identified in some sources as “Ploughman,” in others as Wat Tyler).
- Supporting cast includes Jamie Bell, Stephen Dillane, Tom Hollander, Cosmo Jarvis, Thomasin McKenzie, Jonny Lee Miller, Woody Norman, Katherine Waterston, and Sky Yang.
- Producers: Jason Blum, Gregory Goodman, Joanna Kaye, Joe Neurauter, and Lars Sylvest.
Production Timeline and Title Evolution
The project was first announced in 2022 as “The Hood,” with Benedict Cumberbatch attached. By 2025 it resurfaced as “The Rage,” starring Matthew McConaughey, before both actors departed and Garfield assumed the lead. The final title, “The Uprising,” was confirmed in October 2025. Principal photography took place in Germany’s Franconia region, including locations around Nuremberg and the Penzing Studios near Munich.
Data & Statistics
- Release dates: Trailer – July 16 2026; U.S. theatrical – September 11 2026; U.K./Ireland – October 9 2026.
- Cast count: Ten named actors listed in the trailer.
- Production crew: Cinematographer Pål Ulvik Rokseth; editor William Goldenberg (five-time Oscar nominee).
- Score: Composed by Volker Bertelmann, three-time Oscar nominee.
Why It Matters
“The Uprising” marks Greengrass’s first foray into a pre-20th-century setting, expanding his reputation for dramatizing ordinary people caught in historic upheaval. The combination of prestige talent (Garfield’s two Oscar-nominated performances) and genre-savvy producers (Blumhouse) positions the film as a serious awards-season contender rather than a conventional action spectacle.
Official Statements & Responses
Focus Features’ synopsis emphasizes the film’s central premise: a farmer-leader rallies “an army of the people to face the King’s might in a fight for justice and survival.” Greengrass is credited with writing, directing, and co-producing the project, while the producer roster underscores a blend of independent-horror (Blum) and mainstream-drama expertise. No additional commentary from studio executives or historical consultants appears in the available sources.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Character name: The trailer credits Garfield as “Wat Tyler,” whereas the IndieWire description refers to him as “Ploughman.”
- Project titles: The film has been announced under three different titles (“The Hood,” “The Rage,” “The Uprising”).
- Early casting: Initial announcements listed Cumberbatch and later McConaughey as leads, but no further details on why they left the project are provided.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I am no soldier. I am no priest. I’m just a farmer,” — Andrew Garfield (character Wat Tyler)
- “The land is broken. We are forced to work beyond what our souls can take.” — Andrew Garfield (character Wat Tyler)
- “It is time to set the world on fire,” — Andrew Garfield (character Wat Tyler)
- “There will be no peace until we are free.” — Andrew Garfield (character Wat Tyler)
