The first teaser for Young Washington arrives like a Sunday sermon wrapped in musket smoke. Angel Studios, best known for faith-based hits like The Chosen and Sound of Freedom, now turns its sights to the story of George Washington — not the powdered, portraited Founding Father, but the young soldier stumbling through the mud and blood of the French and Indian War. The trailer doesn’t whisper; it proclaims. “Before he led a revolution, he survived one,” declares the tagline — and you can almost hear the collective sigh of teachers who’ll play this in history class next July.
Directed by Jon Erwin (Jesus Revolution, American Underdog), Young Washington stars William Franklyn-Miller as the future president, with Mary-Louise Parker as Mary Washington, Kelsey Grammer as Lord Fairfax, Andy Serkis as Edward Braddock, and Ben Kingsley as Robert Dinwiddie. Angel Studios plans to release the film on July 3, 2026, precisely timed for the 250th anniversary of American independence — because of course they are.
The Gospel of Patriotism
This teaser doesn’t just sell a film — it sells an origin myth. The voiceover, half prayer and half prophecy, walks the line between inspirational and heavy-handed. Serkis’ Braddock growls, “What happened, Washington? All those bullet holes in your jacket…” while flames crackle in the background. Subtlety, like mercy, isn’t exactly in abundance here.
There’s an echo of The Patriot (2000) — all those sepia-tinged battlefields and swelling strings — but with a distinctly evangelical flavor. The camera adores its hero: the trembling jawline, the blood-smeared conviction, the stoic refusal to blink under divine pressure. If Erwin’s earlier films are any indication, we’re in for a movie that treats providence like a screenplay note.
Casting Kingsley and Serkis: Gravitas in the Crossfire
Ben Kingsley as a British colonial governor and Andy Serkis as Braddock give this project a certain gravitas — though their presence may also signal the filmmakers’ attempt to elevate what could otherwise play like a sermon with muskets. Serkis, ever the chameleon, looks almost amused by the seriousness of it all, while Kingsley does what Kingsley does best: making every syllable sound like scripture.
The supporting cast — Jonno Davies, Mary-Louise Parker, and Kelsey Grammer — rounds out a lineup that blends prestige with piety. It’s a curious mix, one that might charm conservative audiences and test everyone else’s patience.
Faith on the Battlefield
Jon Erwin has built his career on earnest moral storytelling. Young Washington seems to extend that theology of resilience — the idea that divine destiny is forged through suffering and obedience. There’s a sincerity here, even if it risks sanctifying violence under the banner of faith.
Angel Studios’ production design leans into authenticity: muddy coats, worn muskets, the grime of war. Yet there’s also that unmistakable glow — a kind of celestial color grading that makes every battlefield look like it’s been blessed.
The trailer’s pacing feels deliberate, almost reverent, with crescendos that swell toward a vision of Washington kneeling before fate itself. Whether you find that stirring or suffocating depends on your appetite for cinematic patriotism served with communion wine.
5 Things the Young Washington Trailer Tells Us
It’s unapologetically traditional.
Erwin isn’t chasing revisionism — this is a moralist take on America’s founding myth, straight down to its brass buttons.
The tone is devotional, not ironic.
There’s no wink, no subversion. Every frame believes in its own holiness.
The cast is doing heavy lifting.
Serkis and Kingsley might save this from pure sanctimony — or double down on it.
The release date is symbolic.
July 3, 2026, ahead of the U.S. Semiquincentennial, ensures maximum patriotic exposure.
The question is balance.
Can Young Washington preach without proselytizing? The teaser isn’t sure.
FAQ
Is Young Washington a faith-based film?
Yes, it’s produced by Angel Studios and directed by Jon Erwin, both known for faith-driven storytelling. Expect overt moral framing rather than subtle spirituality.
When does Young Washington release?
The film opens in U.S. theaters on July 3, 2026, just before Independence Day weekend, aligning with America’s 250th anniversary.
Does the trailer reveal much of the story?
Not really. It teases Washington’s early military years and spiritual awakening but avoids showing large-scale battles.
Will it appeal beyond religious audiences?
Possibly — if the performances and visuals rise above the didactic tone. But its marketing leans heavily toward conservative, family-oriented viewers.
Is there potential for awards attention?
Unlikely at major festivals. This looks more like a box-office play for mid-America than an Oscar campaign.
