Tribeca Film Festival 2026: Jon Erwin and Kelsey Grammer on Exploring the Early Years of America’s First President in ‘Young Washington’

History has immortalized George Washington as the Father of a Nation, but Young Washington turns its attention to the years before the legend. Directed and co-written by Jon Erwin, the historical drama explores the defining experiences that shaped one of America’s most influential figures, revealing a young man whose character was forged through hardship, uncertainty, and the weight of impossible decisions.

Set against the backdrop of the French and Indian War, the film follows Washington as a single misstep thrusts him into the center of a global conflict. As alliances fracture and the frontier descends into violence, he is forced to confront not only the enemies before him but the leader he is slowly becoming. Rather than celebrating the icon history remembers, Young Washington offers a coming-of-age story about resilience, conviction, and the moments that shape a life.

Pop Culturalist spoke with director and co-writer Jon Erwin and star Kelsey Grammer about uncovering the man behind the myth, the universal lessons found in Washington’s early failures, and why understanding the journey toward greatness can be just as compelling as celebrating the legacy itself.

PC: Jon, what I admired most about the film is how you and your team found a fresh way into the story of someone audiences think they already know. Rather than focusing on the icon history remembers, the film invites us to spend time with a young man still finding his footing, which feels so universally human. Can you talk about why that chapter of Washington’s life resonated with you as both a co-writer and director, and what you hope audiences take away from seeing the leader he was becoming rather than the legend he would become?
Jon: That’s exactly what I wanted to explore. I became really obsessed with the story of the American Revolution about a decade ago. I started reading extensively and found myself fascinated by these incredible stories. Above all, Washington stood out as this galvanizing figure. This country doesn’t happen without him, and that was really interesting to me.

Ken Burns coined the term “emotional archaeology,” and I started asking myself: Who is the person beneath the myth? How was he shaped? What I found so profound, and what I hope audiences will too, is that Washington wasn’t forged through ease or constant success. He was shaped by hardship, tragedy, risk, adventure, and even failure. Those experiences molded him into the leader he would eventually become.

That’s such a universal idea. I hope audiences walk away realizing that failure doesn’t have to define you. It can shape you if you keep moving forward, persevere, and refuse to give up. That was a deeply personal lesson for me throughout this journey.

PC: Kelsey, you’ve said that it’s always instructive to humanize someone who seems out of reach, to put a human face on greatness so that we can recognize that same potential within ourselves. In the film, Lord Fairfax helps nurture the ambition and potential of a young Washington, while off screen you were working alongside William as he carried his first feature film as a leading man. Did you find any parallels between those experiences, and what was it like building that relationship together both on and off screen?
Kelsey: [laughs] In hindsight, I’ve realized the irony of that. It really was such a pleasure to work with him in that capacity. I’ve been doing this for a long time, so I was able to say, “This is what we do. This is how it goes. Let’s have fun with it.” I think we were able to do exactly that.

As Jon was talking, I found myself thinking about the image of a village blacksmith, who’s actually God, forging this young man into a sharp blade on the anvil of history. He’s going to go on and do something extraordinary for God, for the country, and for all of us. The first person to place him on that anvil was Lord Fairfax.

Make sure to follow Jon on Instagram. Young Washington is out in select theaters today.