Uglies Release Date, Cast, Storyline, Trailer Release, And Everything You Need to Know
In a world obsessed with physical perfection and conformity, Scott Westerfeld’s bestselling young adult novel “Uglies” struck a chord with readers when it was first published in 2005.
Nearly two decades later, this thought-provoking dystopian story is finally making its way to the screen in a highly anticipated Netflix adaptation. Set 300 years in the future, “Uglies” explores a society where everyone undergoes mandatory cosmetic surgery at 16 to become “Pretty.” But as our protagonist, Tally Youngblood, soon discovers, beauty comes at a steep price.
The “Uglies” film adaptation has been a long time coming, with the project initially announced back in 2006. After years in development limbo, the movie found new life at Netflix in 2020 with Joey King attached to star and executive produce.
As a longtime fan of the book series, King called playing Tally “a dream realized.” With timely themes about image, identity, and fighting oppressive systems, “Uglies” is poised to become Netflix’s next big Y.A.A. frY.A.chise. Let’s dive into everything we know about this exciting upcoming film.
Uglies Release Date:
After much anticipation, Netflix has officially announced that “Uglies” will premiere on the streaming platform on September 13, 2024. This release date comes nearly four years after the project was first announced on Netflix in September 2020.
The journey to bring “Uglies” to the screen has been extended. 20th Century Fox initially purchased the film rights in 2006, not long after the novel’s publication. However, the project stalled in development for many years before being revived at Netflix.
Principal photography took place in Atlanta from late 2021 to early 2022, with Joey King announcing that filming had wrapped in December 2021.
Since then, the film has been in post-production as the team works on editing, visual effects, music, and other finishing touches. In August 2023, author Scott Westerfeld shared that some “minor tweaks” were delayed by the Hollywood strikes.
Then, in late 2023, director McG revealed he was in the final stages of completing the film alongside star Joey King. The September 2024 release date gives the creators ample time to perfect the movie and build excitement through marketing in the coming months.
Uglies Storyline:
“Uglies” takes place 300 years in the future, in a post-apocalyptic world where society has been rebuilt around the concept of enforced beauty. At age 16, every citizen undergoes an extensive cosmetic surgery operation to transform them into a “Pretty” – conforming to an idealized standard of physical perfection.
This allows them to move from “Uglyville,” where they grew up, to the gleaming “New Pretty Town” to begin their adult lives. The story centers on Tally Youngblood, an “Ugly” about to turn 16 who has spent her whole life eagerly anticipating her transformation into a Pretty.
However, Tally’s worldview is challenged when she befriends Shay, a fellow Ugly who questions the surgery and plans to run away to a secret rebel settlement called the Smoke. When Shay disappears, the authorities give Tally an ultimatum—find her friend and turn her in, or never become Pretty.
Tally’s journey to locate Shay leads her to uncover dark secrets about the Pretty system and the sinister truth behind the operation. She connects with the rebels at the Smoke, including their leader David, and begins to see beauty and humanity in their natural “ugly” state.
But Tally is torn between her loyalty to her old life and the new truths she’s discovering. Her choices will have far-reaching consequences not just for herself but for her entire society.
The “Uglies” storyline explores powerful themes of identity, conformity, free will, and the social pressure to meet impossible beauty standards. It asks challenging questions about the price of perfection and what truly makes someone beautiful. As Tally’s eyes are opened to the flaws in her seemingly utopian world, she must decide what she will sacrifice to fight for change.
Uglies List of Cast Members:
The “Uglies” adaptation features an exciting ensemble cast bringing Westerfeld’s memorable characters to life:
- Joey King as Tally Youngblood: The film’s protagonist is a 16-year-old Ugly eager to undergo Pretty surgery until her beliefs are challenged.
- Chase Stokes as Peris: Tally’s childhood best friend who becomes a Pretty before her.
- Brianne Tju as Shay: Tally’s rebellious new friend who introduces her to ideas that go against their society’s norms.
- Keith Powers as David: One of the founders of the Smoke and a potential love interest for Tally.
- Laverne Cox as Dr. Cable: The main antagonist who oversees the Pretty operation and enforces societal control.
- Charmin Lee as Maddy: A member of the Smoke rebel group.
- Jan Luis Castellanos as Croy: Another Smokie.
- Joseph Echavarria as Ryde: A resident of the Smoke.
- Zamani Wilder as Astrix: Also part of the Smoke community.
- Robert Palmer Watkins as Sol Youngblood: Tally’s father.
- Jillian Murray as Ellie Youngblood: Tally’s mother.
This diverse and talented cast combines fresh faces with experienced actors to bring the world of “Uglies” to life on screen.
Uglies Creators Team:
An experienced creative team helms the “Uglies” film adaptation:
Director Joseph McGinty Nichol, better known as McG, directs the film. He’s known for directing action-packed films like “Charlie’s Angels” and “Terminator Salvation,” as well as producing hiT.V.T.V. shT.V.s like “O.C. OO.C.”O.C. has also collaborated with Netflix before on projects like “The Babysitter” and “Rim of the World.”
Screenwriters Jacob Forman, Vanessa Taylor, and Whit Anderson wrote the script. Taylor notably co-wrote “The Shape of Water” and worked on “Game of Thrones,” bringing intense sci-fi and fantasy credentials to the project.
Producers: John Davis, Jordan Davis, Robyn Meisinger, Dan Spilo, McG, and Mary Viola are producing the film. Joey King is also serving as an executive producer alongside author Scott Westerfeld.
Cinematography: Xiaolong Liu is the director of photography.
Editor: Martin Bernfeld is handling the film’s editing.
Music: Edward Shearmur is composing the film’s score.
This blend of experienced filmmakers and fresh talent bodes well for bringing Westerfeld’s vivid world to life on screen while crafting an engaging cinematic experience.
Where to Watch Uglies?
“Uglies” will premiere exclusively on Netflix on September 13, 2024. As a Netflix original film, it will be accessible to all Netflix subscribers worldwide on that date.
The streaming giant has become known for its young adult adaptations in recent years, with hits like “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” and “The Kissing Booth” (which also starred Joey King). By bringing “Uglies” to their platform, Netflix hopes to tap into the sizeable existing fanbase for the book series while introducing the story to new audiences.
Scott Westerfeld’s original “Uglies” novel and its sequels are widely available in bookstores and libraries for those wanting to catch up on or revisit the source material before the film’s release. The author has also announced that the books will be re-released to coincide with the Netflix adaptation, likely featuring new cover art tied to the film.
Uglies Trailer Release Date:
Fans got their first honest look at the “Uglies” adaptation when Netflix released the official trailer on August 8, 2024, just over a month before the film’s premiere. The trailer gives viewers a thrilling glimpse into the futuristic world of New Pretty Town and Uglyville and showcases the film’s impressive production design and visual effects.
We see Joey King’s Tally grappling with her society’s beauty standards, saying, “All my life, I wanted to be pretty. I thought it would change everything.” The trailer teases Tally’s relationships with Peris and Shay, hinting at the conflict to come as she learns the dark truth behind the Pretty surgery.
Action-packed scenes of hoverboard chases and the rebel Smoke settlement are interwoven with quieter character moments, promising a film that balances spectacle with emotional depth. The trailer culminates with Tally declaring, “I choose to be myself,” setting up the story’s themes of identity and rebellion.
Before the full trailer, Netflix released some first-look images from the film on August 7, giving fans their initial peek at the characters and setting. These stills showed Tally and Peris’s pre-surgery and integration into the Smoke community.
Uglies Final Words:
As the September 13 release date for “Uglies” approaches, anticipation is building among both longtime fans of the book series and newcomers intrigued by the premise.
The film has the potential to spark meaningful conversations about beauty standards, conformity, and individual identity – themes that feel more relevant than ever in our social media-driven world.
Director McG has expressed his excitement about sharing “Uglies” with audiences: “I feel like the film’s message is timelier than ever. With our contemporary society so obsessed with image, this movie shares a great message that beauty is interior, and who we are on the inside counts. All in a film packed with action, romance, and adventure.”
With its combination of thought-provoking themes, thrilling dystopian action, and a talented cast led by Joey King, “Uglies” is poised to become Netflix’s next big YA franchise.
Whether it lives up to nearly two decades of fan expectations remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – on September 13, viewers around the world will finally get to experience Tally Youngblood’s journey from Ugly to rebel on their screens.