PRODUCTION / FUNDING USA / UK / Germany / Denmark
Paul Greengrass’s new feature The Uprising in the works
- Set during the English Peasants’ Revolt of 1381 and starring Andrew Garfield, the pic follows a farmer who becomes the leader of a rebellion against the crown forces of King Richard II
Paul Greengrass’s new feature, The Uprising, is in the works. The English filmmaker, celebrated for 22 July [+see also:
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Set during the English Peasants’ Revolt of 1381, The Uprising follows Wat Tyler (played by Garfield), a humble farmer who becomes the unexpected leader of a large-scale rebellion against the crown forces of a then 14-year-old King Richard II. The story charts his transformation from a man of the soil into a revolutionary figurehead, as he gathers an army of commoners to challenge tyranny, and fight for justice and survival.
The ensemble cast also includes Jamie Bell (All of Us Strangers [+see also:
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The project has had a long gestation period. It was first announced in May 2022 under the title The Hood, with Benedict Cumberbatch originally attached to star. In early 2025, the film was retitled The Rage and Matthew McConaughey briefly came on board, with Jason Blum joining as producer through Blumhouse Productions. By May 2025, Andrew Garfield had entered negotiations to take over the lead role, while Focus Features secured domestic distribution rights in a deal estimated at around $11 million. Over the following months, McKenzie and Waterston were confirmed, and this month, the film took its current title.
Principal photography began in September 2025, shooting across multiple Bavarian and Franconian locations, as well as at the newly established Penzing Studios in Munich. Norwegian cinematographer Pål Ulvik Rokseth, known for his work on A Haunting in Venice, handled the film’s visuals, while Academy Award-winning editor William Goldenberg will be shaping the footage in post.
The Uprising is being produced by Jason Blum for US-based outfit Blumhouse Productions, alongside Gregory Goodman, Joanna Kaye and Greengrass himself. Lars Sylvest produces through Danish-US-German firm Thank You Pictures and Joe Neurauter through Supernix (Germany). UK-based banner Electric Shadow Company is also co-producing.
Leonine Studios will distribute the pic in Germany, whilst Focus Features is set to handle its US release.
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