With its release just weeks away, Paul Greengrass’s new film, The Uprising, has become the subject of growing confusion and debate over its narrative focus and marketing approach. Initially presented as a historical drama centered on the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381, the film’s promotional materials have recently taken an unexpected turn by linking the story to the legendary figure of Robin Hood.

Originally, trailers and publicity for The Uprising suggested the film would explore the uprising against the ruling classes during a significant yet rarely depicted chapter of English history. Andrew Garfield stars as a character credited as “The Ploughman,” a name that appears to allude to medieval literature, specifically William Langland’s Piers Plowman, a poem contemporary to the era that contains one of the earliest references to Robin Hood.

The confusion intensified when Focus Features, the film’s U.S. distributor, announced an expanded title on social media: The Uprising: The Rise of Robin Hood. This version came with a new synopsis indicating that Garfield’s character leads a popular resistance inspired by true events that contributed to the Robin Hood legend. Such a framing appears to intertwine the historical revolt with the mythic outlaw, whose traditional narrative is set around two centuries earlier, during the reign of King Richard the Lionheart.

This conflation sparked frustration among potential viewers and commentators, some of whom questioned the historical accuracy and tone of the film, expressing concern that a serious examination of class struggle might be overshadowed by the inclusion of a largely fictional character more commonly associated with folklore or family-friendly adaptations. The timing is also notable given the recent poor reception of another Robin Hood-related film, The Death of Robin Hood, which underperformed at the global box office.

In contrast to Focus Features’ messaging, the film’s UK distributor, Entertainment Film Distributors, has firmly denied any connection to Robin Hood in its campaign or the film’s content. A spokesperson stated that The Uprising is “a historical epic about the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381, not Robin Hood,” and emphasized that UK marketing materials make no reference to the legendary figure. The statement suggested that international marketing efforts referencing Robin Hood are not authorized or representative of the film’s presentation in the UK.

Speculation remains over the creative choices behind the film’s evolving branding. Some observers posit that Greengrass may be framing the rebellion as a foundational moment that influenced the emergence of the Robin Hood mythos as a symbol of popular resistance. Others argue that distributors may be seeking to leverage the well-known Robin Hood name to attract audiences, even if the character’s presence in the film is minimal or symbolic.

As The Uprising approaches its release date, the uncertainty over its narrative direction and marketing strategy has led to mixed expectations. Audiences may be divided between those anticipating a grounded historical drama and others expecting a more fantastical retelling involving the iconic outlaw. Until viewers see the film, it remains unclear how the story will reconcile these elements or which version of the marketing will prevail.