Andrew Garfield leads revolt in The Uprising trailer
Focus Features has released the first trailer for Paul Greengrass’ 1381 rebellion drama, with Garfield starring as Wat Tyler.
By Bianca Rossi · Entertainment Editor
2 min read
Andrew Garfield is marching on London in the first trailer for The Uprising, Focus Features’ new drama about the English Peasants’ Revolt of 1381.
The film, directed by Paul Greengrass, is set for theatrical release on September 11, according to Focus Features. Garfield stars as Wat Tyler, described in the film’s materials as the legendary figure who leads a rebellion against King Richard II.
The trailer frames Wat as an ordinary man pushed into open defiance. In the footage, Garfield’s character says, “I am no soldier. I am no priest. I’m just a farmer.” He then describes a country under crushing strain: “The land is broken. We are forced to work beyond what our souls can take.”
A rebellion catches fire
Focus Features’ trailer presents the conflict as a clash between peasants and the power of the crown. The footage includes figures aligned with the King ordering peasants to pay taxes they cannot afford and continue working without relief.
From there, the trailer turns violent. Garfield’s Wat strikes back and begins gathering what the film describes as an army of the people. The story follows that force as it moves toward London in a struggle the film positions around justice and survival.
“It is time to set the world on fire,” Wat says in the trailer. “There will be no peace until we are free.”
The drama centers on the 1381 uprising against the rule of King Richard II, with Wat Tyler shown as the face of the revolt. The trailer does not lay out the full plot, but its released footage focuses on hardship, taxation, labor and the moment a farmer becomes a rebel leader.
Paul Greengrass writes and directs
Greengrass directed The Uprising from his own screenplay. He also produced the film with Jason Blum, Gregory Goodman, Joanna Kaye, Joe Neurauter and Lars Sylvest, according to the film details released with the trailer.
The cast around Garfield includes Jamie Bell, Stephen Dillane, Tom Hollander, Cosmo Jarvis, Thomasin McKenzie, Jonny Lee Miller, Woody Norman, Katherine Waterston and Sky Yang.
Focus Features released the trailer through its official channels ahead of the September 11 theatrical bow. The studio’s early look puts Garfield at the center of a grim, muddy and furious revolt, with Greengrass handling both the script and direction.
This story draws on original reporting from Deadline.