Trailer Arrives for ‘The Uprising,’ Starring Andrew Garfield as a 14th-Century Rebel
Focus Features has released the first official trailer for “The Uprising,” a historical drama directed by Paul Greengrass that recounts the 1381 Peasants’ Revolt in England. The footage debuted online on July 16, 2026, offering a visceral look at the film’s shaky-cam battle sequences and Andrew Garfield’s transformation into the legendary rebel leader Wat Tyler.
The trailer shows Garfield’s character evolving from a humble farmer into the head of a popular insurrection against King Richard II. The logline describes the film as “a ferocious rebellion against the tyranny of King Richard II” in which Tyler “forms an army of the people to face the King’s might in a fight for justice and survival.”
The film is set for a theatrical release on September 11, 2026, and is expected to premiere at the Venice Film Festival or Telluride before its wide rollout. It marks Greengrass’ return to period action after The Lost Bus (2025) and continues his reputation for blending handheld documentary-style cinematography with high-stakes drama.
Cast and Production Team
Alongside Garfield, the ensemble includes Jamie Bell, Stephen Dillane, Tom Hollander, Cosmo Jarvis, Thomasin McKenzie, Jonny Lee Miller, Woody Norman, Katherine Waterston, and Sky Yang. The screenplay was written by Greengrass, who also produced alongside Jason Blum, Gregory Goodman, Joanna Kaye, Joe Neurauter, and Lars Sylvest.
The Long Road to the Screen: Development and Delays
The Uprising had a notably turbulent production history. Initially announced in 2022 under the working title The Hood, the project was originally set to star Benedict Cumberbatch. After several delays, the film was retitled The Rage in February 2025, with Matthew McConaughey replacing Cumberbatch. McConaughey exited by May 2025, and Garfield was brought in shortly after. The title was changed to The Uprising in October 2025.
This is Garfield’s third major historical role, following his performance as Desmond Doss in Mel Gibson’s Hacksaw Ridge and as a Jesuit priest in Martin Scorsese’s Silence. The actor also recently starred in the fantasy film The Magic Faraway Tree (released in the U.K. and set for U.S. theaters on August 21) and is attached to Luca Guadagnino’s Artificial, in which he will play OpenAI co-founder Sam Altman.
Greengrass’ Signature Style
Paul Greengrass is best known for directing the Jason Bourne series, as well as fact-based dramas such as United 93, Captain Phillips, and Bloody Sunday. His use of handheld cameras and rapid editing has become a hallmark of modern action filmmaking. Early reactions to the The Uprising trailer suggest that Greengrass has applied the same immersive, chaotic visual language to the medieval battlefield.
Critical reception for Greengrass’ recent work has been mixed, but the director’s ability to generate tension and empathy in real-world crises remains widely respected. The question many observers are asking is whether his kinetic style will serve a period setting as effectively as it did modern war zones and hijacked ships.
Broader Implications: The Return of the Historical Epic
The release of The Uprising comes at a time when historical epics have seen a resurgence at the box office, fueled by audiences seeking grounded, character-driven conflict after years of franchise-driven spectacle. The film also arrives amid ongoing debates about taxation, inequality, and popular resistance in contemporary politics—themes that the Peasants’ Revolt dramatizes with blunt force.
In an era of polarized media and protest movements, stories about ordinary people rising against entrenched power structures carry obvious modern resonance. Greengrass has a long track record of turning recent history into urgent cinema, and The Uprising extends that approach to the 14th century.
For viewers catching up on streaming content this month, the film’s September release will coincide with the fall festival season. Meanwhile, subscribers looking for lighter fare might explore the Netflix July 2026 lineup, which includes new movies, British series, and a 40-title weekly rollout that offers an alternative to theatrical heavyweights.
What to Expect This Fall
The Uprising is one of several ambitious period films slated for late 2026. With its A-list cast, seasoned director, and a deeply resonant historical event at its core, the film is positioned as a contender for awards season attention. Whether Greengrass’ signature shaky-cam technique will translate smoothly to the muddy fields of medieval England—or whether it will distract from the drama—remains to be seen. But the trailer has already sparked considerable conversation among film critics and history enthusiasts alike.
The film will open in theaters on September 11, 2026, and will later become available on digital platforms.
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