Andrew Garfield is trading his Spider-Man suit for a pitchfork in The Uprising, the latest historical epic from director Paul Greengrass. The first trailer has dropped, and it's a gritty, sweeping look at one of England's most explosive—and often overlooked—rebellions.
Set during the Peasants' Revolt of 1381, the film follows Wat Tyler (Garfield), a farmer who rises to lead a commoner army against the tyrannical King Richard II. The revolt was fueled by crushing taxes and years of socio-economic hardship during the Hundred Years' War. In the trailer, we see Tyler's transformation from humble farmer to fiery revolutionary, rallying a ragtag force that storms the Tower of London—the only time in history the fortress was breached.
Greengrass, known for his visceral, real-world dramas like Captain Phillips and United 93, brings his signature intensity to this medieval uprising. The film also boasts a stellar ensemble cast, including Jamie Bell, Stephen Dillane, Tom Hollander, Cosmo Jarvis, Thomasin McKenzie, Jonny Lee Miller, Woody Norman, Katherine Waterston, and Sky Yang.
A Long Road to the Big Screen
The Uprising has been in development for years. Originally titled The Hood in 2022, it was set to star Benedict Cumberbatch. Later, under the name The Rage, Matthew McConaughey was attached. Now, with Garfield in the lead and a September 11 release date locked, the project has finally come together.
Behind the scenes, producer Jason Blum—best known for horror hits like Get Out and The Invisible Man—teams up with Greengrass for the second time, following their collaboration on The Lost Bus. The production team also includes Gregory Goodman, Joanna Kaye, Joe Neurauter, and Lars Sylvest.
Garfield has been on a hot streak lately, from the acclaimed romance We Live in Time with Florence Pugh to Luca Guadagnino's After the Hunt and the upcoming fantasy The Magic Faraway Tree. But The Uprising marks his return to the historical epic genre, following his Oscar-nominated turn in Mel Gibson's Hacksaw Ridge.
For fans of Greengrass's grounded, propulsive filmmaking, The Uprising looks like a must-see. And if you're craving more historical drama, check out our look at Vince Gilligan's overlooked crime drama 'Battle Creek' for a different kind of period piece.
The Uprising storms into theaters on September 11. Watch the trailer above.
