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William Franklyn-Miller Takes on George Washington in Young Washington Premiering at Tribeca
William Franklyn‑Miller steps into the boots of a 21‑year‑old George Washington in the historical drama Young Washington, which opened at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 13 2026. Directed, produced, and co‑written by Jon Erwin, the film follows Washington’s early military career during the French and Indian War before he became the United States’ first president.
In a Zoom interview with UPI on June 14, Franklyn‑Miller explained his approach to the role. "I tried to separate the man from the myth when playing the titular military hero‑turned‑president," he said. "At the end of the day, in THIS story, he's a 21‑year‑old boy and I think bringing that aspect to him was super‑important." The actor added that the call for the part came while he was on vacation with his girlfriend, and that learning he had been cast felt like a dream. "I was honestly over the moon," he said.
Erwin, known for Christian films such as Jesus Revolution and Woodlawn, has built a reputation for epic storytelling. Young Washington is produced by Kingdom Story Company, the studio founded by the Erwin brothers in 2019. The film’s narrative focuses on Washington’s leadership in the French and Indian War, a period that set the stage for his later military and political achievements.
The cast of Young Washington includes Mary‑Louise Parker, Ben Kingsley, Kelsey Grammer, and Andy Serkis. Franklyn‑Miller noted that he was one of the first actors cast, and that the presence of such established performers added pressure and motivation. "Everyone on the cast was amazing and talking about legendary figures," he said. "I learned so much from those legends."
The Tribeca Film Festival, founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff in 2002, celebrated its 25th anniversary during the 2026 edition. The festival’s lineup featured 118 feature films, including 103 world premieres. Young Washington was screened in the festival’s opening week, aligning with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Angel Studios, the distributor, announced a nationwide U.S. release date of July 3 2026, the eve of the Declaration’s anniversary. The timing positions the film as a historical reflection on the nation’s founding moments.
Franklyn‑Miller’s performance follows his work on the television series Medici, where he played a supporting role. He is also slated to appear in the upcoming film Neuromancer and the adaptation of The Age of Innocence. His portrayal of Washington is described by the actor as a chance to explore the emotional and leadership challenges of a young commander.
The film’s focus on Washington’s early years—battles, personal loss, and the development of his leadership style—offers a fresh perspective on a well‑known historical figure. By humanizing Washington as a young man, the narrative aims to provide context for his later achievements.
Young Washington is scheduled to be available in theaters across the United States on July 3 2026. The film’s premiere at Tribeca and its release date coincide with significant national anniversaries, positioning it as a timely addition to the 2026 cinematic landscape.
In summary, William Franklyn‑Miller’s debut as George Washington in Young Washington marks a notable entry in his career. The film’s premiere at Tribeca and its upcoming theatrical release align with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, offering audiences a historically grounded portrayal of the nation’s first president.
In a Zoom interview with UPI on June 14, Franklyn‑Miller explained his approach to the role. "I tried to separate the man from the myth when playing the titular military hero‑turned‑president," he said. "At the end of the day, in THIS story, he's a 21‑year‑old boy and I think bringing that aspect to him was super‑important." The actor added that the call for the part came while he was on vacation with his girlfriend, and that learning he had been cast felt like a dream. "I was honestly over the moon," he said.
Erwin, known for Christian films such as Jesus Revolution and Woodlawn, has built a reputation for epic storytelling. Young Washington is produced by Kingdom Story Company, the studio founded by the Erwin brothers in 2019. The film’s narrative focuses on Washington’s leadership in the French and Indian War, a period that set the stage for his later military and political achievements.
The cast of Young Washington includes Mary‑Louise Parker, Ben Kingsley, Kelsey Grammer, and Andy Serkis. Franklyn‑Miller noted that he was one of the first actors cast, and that the presence of such established performers added pressure and motivation. "Everyone on the cast was amazing and talking about legendary figures," he said. "I learned so much from those legends."
The Tribeca Film Festival, founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff in 2002, celebrated its 25th anniversary during the 2026 edition. The festival’s lineup featured 118 feature films, including 103 world premieres. Young Washington was screened in the festival’s opening week, aligning with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Angel Studios, the distributor, announced a nationwide U.S. release date of July 3 2026, the eve of the Declaration’s anniversary. The timing positions the film as a historical reflection on the nation’s founding moments.
Franklyn‑Miller’s performance follows his work on the television series Medici, where he played a supporting role. He is also slated to appear in the upcoming film Neuromancer and the adaptation of The Age of Innocence. His portrayal of Washington is described by the actor as a chance to explore the emotional and leadership challenges of a young commander.
The film’s focus on Washington’s early years—battles, personal loss, and the development of his leadership style—offers a fresh perspective on a well‑known historical figure. By humanizing Washington as a young man, the narrative aims to provide context for his later achievements.
Young Washington is scheduled to be available in theaters across the United States on July 3 2026. The film’s premiere at Tribeca and its release date coincide with significant national anniversaries, positioning it as a timely addition to the 2026 cinematic landscape.
In summary, William Franklyn‑Miller’s debut as George Washington in Young Washington marks a notable entry in his career. The film’s premiere at Tribeca and its upcoming theatrical release align with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, offering audiences a historically grounded portrayal of the nation’s first president.