Andrew Garfield’s The Uprising Sends Mixed Signals on Robin Hood Connection

Focus Features' The Uprising stars Andrew Garfield in a 1381 Peasants Revolt drama, but new marketing materials suggest it might be a Robin Hood origin story. The film's official X account tweeted, "To the rich, he was an outlaw. To the people, he was a hero. Witness the rise of Robin Hood in The Uprising, only in theaters September 11."

This revelation came after the film's title was changed back to just The Uprising. The UK distributor even denied the movie is a Robin Hood tale, stating, "Marketing materials posted by other countries that may appear in the UK online and on social media referencing Robin Hood are not issued or approved by us."

Garfield's character, Ploughman, was originally understood to represent the Everyman peasant who took up arms against the crown. However, production notes revealed the character is actually the leader of a rebellion inspired by the true events of the 1381 Peasants' Revolt. The original plot synopsis did not mention any Robin Hood connections, but the updated notes emphasize the film's ties to the legend, stating it is "Set against the true events of the Uprising that helped inspire the legend of Robin Hood."

The updated synopsis also mentions the inspiration for Ploughman, saying, "The 14th century English poem 'Piers Plowman' — a simple farmer's dream about his hopes and fears — was the inspiration for the character of the Ploughman and helped the filmmaker settle on his approach." This connection to the poem, which gave birth to the Robin Hood legend, could be the key to the mixed signals in the film's marketing.

As The Uprising approaches its theatrical release, clear messaging about its Robin Hood ties will be crucial to avoid confusing potential audiences.