For British actor Woody Norman, taking on the role of 14-year-old King Richard II in the new historical drama “The Uprising” was a physically taxing experience. The 17-year-old revealed that he suffered from severe headaches throughout production because the film’s sole crown was damaged on the first day. Despite attempts to cushion the steel headpiece with foam, the ill-fitting prop caused constant pain, leaving Norman with splitting headaches by the end of each shooting day.
Norman spoke about the challenges during a Zoom interview from a Los Angeles hotel, just hours before the film’s premiere at the Directors Guild of America in West Hollywood. In addition to the uncomfortable crown, he had to endure heavy royal robes that weighed approximately 46 kilograms—equivalent to his own body weight. “It was really really painful,” Norman admitted while discussing the wardrobe on the red carpet.
Despite the discomfort, Norman enjoyed the regal treatment from his colleagues. “It’s a power trip,” he said, noting that supporting actors would bow and address him as “Your highness” every time he walked by, an experience he found intoxicating. The film, written and directed by Paul Greengrass, is based on the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381. Andrew Garfield headlines as a fictional farmer known only as Ploughman, who incites thousands of commoners to march on London to protest the king.
Norman recalled being intimidated during his first scene with Garfield, a pivotal fight sequence between the rebel leader and the monarch. However, Garfield quickly put him at ease. “He immediately went, ‘I love you, and come on, come on!’” Norman remembered. “I was like, ‘OK, we’re both actors. We can do this.’ It completely removed that sense of awe and made us both professionals.” The scene required Norman to shove a paper scroll into the king’s mouth, a task complicated by his Invisalign wire; he noted the paper remained stuck in his teeth until after wrap.
Beyond the physical demands of the role, Norman reflected on how his career began with Joaquin Phoenix in Mike Mills’ 2021 film “C’mon C’mon.” At age 10, Norman was working purely for fun and did not yet identify as an actor. Phoenix helped shift his perspective, showing him that acting is “a way of living” and a mode of creation. Norman also credited Phoenix with inspiring his current vegan lifestyle. He recounted a lighthearted exchange where Phoenix questioned his meat consumption, to which Norman retorted that Phoenix should stop smoking. “He’s still smoking, so he hasn’t kept up his bit,” Norman laughed.
Looking ahead, Variety has exclusively reported that Norman will star in the British urban horror thriller “Skag & Bone,” alongside Malachi Kirby, Tuppence Middleton, Conrad Khan, and Kola Bokinni. “The Uprising” is currently playing in theaters.
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