Paul Greengrass's historical epic The Uprising has debuted its first trailer, featuring Andrew Garfield as the revolutionary Wat Tyler. The film depicts the 1381 Peasants' Revolt against King Richard II and is scheduled for a September 11, 2026, releae.

Andrew Garfield's Wat Tyler and the 1381 Peasants' Revolt

Andrew Garfield takes the lead in The Uprising as Wat Tyler, the central figure of the 1381 Peasants' Revolt. According to the report, the film follows a farmer's transformation into an unlikely revolutionary leader fighting the tyranny of King Richard II. The production features an expansive ensemble cast, including Jamie Bell, Stephen Dillane, Tom Hollander, Cosmo Jarvis, Thomasin McKenzie, Jonny Lee Miller, Woody Norman, and Katherine Waterston, promising a high-stakes drama centered on survival and justice.

The narrative focuses on an army of commoners rising against the English monarchy. By centering the story on a farmer rather than a nobleman, The Uprising emphasizes the desperation of the peasant class during a pivotal moment in English history.

Paul Greengrass brings Bourne-style grit to medieval England

Paul Greengrass, the director renowned for the Jason Bourne series and Captain Phillips, is applying his signature visceral style to the 14th century.. As the report says, Greengrass is known for a gritty, realistic approach that should lend authenticity to the medieval settings of The Uprising. This suggests the film will avoid the polished, sanitized look of traditional period pieces in favor of something more immersive and chaotic.

The trailer hints at sweeping battle scenes and intense action, but the core of the film appears to be a profound character study. The combination of Greengrass's direction and Garfield's history of resilient performances in films like Hacksaw Ridge suggests a focus on the psychological toll of rebellion.

Moving beyond the Braveheart archetype of the warrior-hero

While the trailer has sparked immediate comparisons to Mel Gibson's Braveheart, The Uprising seeks to diverge from the "warrior-king" trope. Instead of a trained military leader, Andrew Garfield's Wat Tyler is presented as an everyday man, a choice intended to make the struggle for equity more relatable to modern audiences. This shift reflects a broader cinematic trend toward depicting collective resistance rather than the singular "Great Man" theory of history.

By focusing on the fight for justice from the perspective of the oppressed, The Uprising echoes contemporary calls for equity. The film positions the 1381 revolt not just as a historical event, but as a timeless example of collective resistance against systemic tyranny.

The September 11, 2026 release and the awards season gamble

The decision to schedule The Uprising for a September 11, 2026 release suggests a calculated move toward the fall awards circuit. By positioning the film in this window, the producers are likely aiming for Academy Award visibility for both Paul Greengrass and Andrew Garfield. This timing indicates a strong belief that the film possesses the "spectacle and substance" required for critical prestige.

What the trailer omits about King Richard II's perspective

Despite the trailer's scale, several narrative gaps remain, specifically regarding the portrayal of King Richard II. While the source highlights the "ferocious rebellion" of the commoners, it remains unclear how the film will balance the perspective of the monarchy or the specific political triggers of the 1381 revolt. The current promotional material focuses heavily on the rebels, leaving the depth and motivation of the antagonist as an open question.