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Andrew Garfield in first look at new historical thriller about real-life uprising against King Richard II – as UK release date confirmed

"It is time to set the world on fire."

Andrew Garfield covered in dirt and looking angry as he stands outside amongst a crowd of people.

IGN/Focus Features

Published: Friday, 17 July 2026 at 12:00 pm

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We now have an exciting first look at Andrew Garfield's upcoming historical drama film The Uprising – and alongside the powerful trailer, we now also have a confirmed release date.

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The Uprising is confirmed to be coming to cinemas on 11 September, so we really don't have long to wait.

Coming from director Paul Greengrass of the Bourne film franchise and Captain Phillips fame, it was always a given that The Uprising would be action-packed and tense. But boy, does the trailer go ahead and prove that tenfold.

The trailer opens with Garfield as a farmer, ploughing his land and admitting that they've all been forced to work "beyond what our souls can take" for the sake of King Richard II (Woody Norman). The 14-year-old King has ordered everyone to pay taxes but even though nobody has anything left to give, incoming soldiers turn to more sinister actions as they start to attack a girl from the village.

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Having seen enough, we then witness Garfield's character explode and get into a physical altercation, setting off a chain of events that he couldn't have foretold. We soon see that he's leading rebel armies to go to London to find the King, becoming known as The Ploughman.

"There will be no peace until we are free," he says and we soon see impressive shots of tens of thousands of people converging on the streets of London in order to attack the King. And as the epic fight sequences get underway, it's clear that this is set to be a film that could very well keep us on the edge of our seats.

Watch the trailer for yourself below.

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The film has also been written by Greengrass but is inspired by the true story of the 1381 Peasants Revolt, a major uprising that unfolded across England which was prompted by high taxes and political tensions after the Black Death.

The revolt was led by Wat Tyler, who led rebels across Canterbury to London to demand reforms and reject the poll tax. Although not named as Wat Tyler in the trailer, Garfield is clearly embodying the character but may simply be known as The Ploughman for the duration of the film.

Garfield is known for a variety of roles over the years and is no stranger to a knottier one, having starred in the likes of Under the Banner of Heaven, We Live in Time, Tick, Tick... Boom! and of course, the Amazing Spider-Man films.

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Garfield helms The Uprising, but the lead role had previously been given to Matthew McConaughey, with the previous incarnation of the film some years before that having had Benedict Cumberbatch slated to star.

Nevertheless, Garfield looks as though he's going to deliver quite the standout performance in The Uprising and is also supported by quite the stellar cast also, who we can catch glimpses of in the trailer.

Garfield is joined by the likes of Tom Hollander (The Night Manager), Jamie Bell (Half Man), Stephen Dillane (Game of Thrones), Cosmo Jarvis (Shōgun), Thomasin McKenzie (Fallout), Jonny Lee Miller (Possession) and Katherine Waterson (The Agency).

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The Uprising will be coming to cinemas this September.

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Check out more of our Film coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.

Authors

Black and white cut-out portrait headshot of Morgan Cormack, smiling against a lime green background

Morgan CormackDrama Writer

Morgan Cormack is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering everything drama-related on TV and streaming. She previously worked at Stylist as an Entertainment Writer. Alongside her past work in content marketing and as a freelancer, she possesses a BA in English Literature.

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