Woody Norman, 17, Plays King Richard II in 'The Uprising' — SkimNews
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- Woody Norman, 17, plays 14-year-old King Richard II in Paul Greengrass's historical fiction drama "The Uprising," based on the real Peasants' Revolt of 1381 England, with Andrew Garfield starring as fictional farmer Ploughman.
- Norman left set daily with splitting headaches after the production's only crown was damaged on day one — a bent steel piece that foam padding failed to cushion against his head.
- Norman, who weighs 46 kilograms (about 101 pounds), said the royal robes he wore weighed as much as he did and were "really really painful" to film in.
- Norman called being treated as king on set "a power trip," explaining that supporting actors bowed and addressed him as "Your highness" every day he walked by.
- Andrew Garfield eased Norman's nerves on their first scene together — a pivotal fight where Ploughman shoves a paper scroll into the king's mouth — by telling Norman "I love you, and come on, come on!" and treating him as a fellow professional.
- Norman went fully vegan at age 10 after working with Joaquin Phoenix on Mike Mills's 2021 drama "C'mon C'mon"; he recalled Phoenix urging him to stop eating meat while Norman told Phoenix to stop smoking, noting Phoenix "still smoking, so he hasn't kept up his bit."
- Norman will next star in the British urban horror thriller "Skag & Bone" alongside Malachi Kirby, Tuppence Middleton, Conrad Khan, and Kola Bokinni.
Why it matters: Norman went from a breakthrough role opposite Joaquin Phoenix at age 10 to a lead in a major Paul Greengrass historical epic at 17, with a British horror thriller lined up — a fast arc for a teenager who credits Phoenix with teaching him that acting is "a way of living," not just a job.
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