Andrew Garfield on the meaning of no kings in The Uprising
Andrew Garfield sat down with Mashable and explained his "n o kings" line in "The Uprising" movie.
The phrase "no kings" holds significant meaning in both 2026 America and 14th century England, as depicted in Paul Greengrass' film, "The Uprising." The film follows the story of John Ploughman, portrayed by Andrew Garfield, a farmer who plays a crucial role in the resistance against King Richard III. The uprising, fueled by the impact of the Black Death, the Poll Tax, and the Hundred Years' War, saw farmers, artisans, priests, and common folk challenge the tyranny of the monarchy.
Garfield, during an interview with Mashable Senior Editor Shannon Connellan at the historic Charterhouse in London, explained that the line was initially considered for removal due to the recent "No Kings" protests against Trump. However, he ultimately decided to keep it, recognizing its universal and timeless nature. He emphasized that the idea of a preordained hierarchy being deconstructed is an important and still relevant message.
The film, set in medieval England, showcases Greengrass' signature handheld, documentary-style action, featuring co-stars Cosmo Jarvis and Jamie Bell, as well as the use of farm tools against steel and armor. "The Uprising" is currently in theaters in the U.S. and will be released in the UK on October 9.
Written by urgent.news from Mashable's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
