Film adaptation of Scott Westerfeld’s 2005 young adult novel, Uglyhas just arrived on Netflix, and many are already wondering if the other novels will get the big screen treatment.
Ugly is set in a dystopian world where teenagers undergo surgery at the age of 16 to become “beautiful” in an effort to make society perfect.
As the main character Tally nears her surgery time, she uncovers a rebel conspiracy that threatens to expose the truth that the scientists have hidden from the city.
The film was directed by McG (Charlie’s Angels), stars Joey King (The Kissing Booth) and Chase Stokes (Outer Banks), but the cliffhanger ending opens the door to more franchises.
Will there be an Uglies 2?
Ugly was only the first of Scott Westerfeld’s novels in a series that includes three sequels: Beautiful, special thingsand Extras.
When asked if Ugly 2 might be on the way, Westerfeld told Decider that he and McG “want to do”but it all depends on that “How many people watch it:”
“Well, I want to do it. I’m pretty sure McG wants to do it. And obviously when it comes down to it, with Netflix and other forces, how many people watch it, how many times. I’ll leave that up to the viewers.”
In an interview with The Hashtag Show, the author added that he thought Ugly is a “full movie” he believed it was “invite the other two:”
“I’ve always thought in terms of trilogies, that’s how I work. While I think this is a perfect movie and a great movie, it needs two more.”
The cast seemed equally eager to move on an Ugly sequel.
Joey King told Collider, “let’s see what happens”and waited to see “how does this resonate with people” before you get your hopes up:
“I think we’re really excited to see how this resonates with people, how it works and how the world takes it. We’ll see what happens.”
Chase Stokes, who plays Peris, added this in a chat with Extra TV “if people show up” ideally they would move on to adapt other books:
“There are several books, so if people come to see the movie, hopefully we can do a couple more.”
Ugly released on Netflix on September 13. The studio has not confirmed a sequel as of this writing.
Like many streaming film and television projects these days, an Ugly 2 it would all depend on the number of viewers of the first movie to be successful going forward. That’s why Westerfeld has asked viewers to do so “See it early and see it often” if they want more.
When could the Uglies 2 movie release date be?
While the other Ugly movie hasn’t been announced, it could very well be in the coming months as viewership for the Netflix movie picks up.
This naturally raises the question of how long fans will have to wait for the release date Ugly 2.
Although screen adjustments Ugly Having been in and out of development for the better part of 15 years, this iteration of the project was picked up around September 2020, with Joey King attached as executive and producer and McG moving on to direct.
Filming is said to have taken place later in December 2021 and finished by February 2022. Ugly was then released about 18 months later in September 2024, although it’s worth noting that the Hollywood Guild Strikes also happened around this time and may have delayed things.
Production cycle for the first Ugly the film took about four years from start to finish, but if the sequel was the turnaround would likely happen faster because a large cast and production team would already be involved.
This means Ugly 2 could be released anywhere from two to four years from now, with release dates in late 2026 or early 2027 as soon as possible.
What could the Pretties sequel be about?
If Ugly movie trilogy going forward, it would likely follow the trajectory of Westerfeld’s novels, meaning the second film would likely be renamed. Beautiful.
End Ugly the movie was similar to the Book, where Tally agrees to undergo surgery to become beautiful, with the intention of accessing the cure once inside and infiltrating the Special Circumstances division.
Beautiful discusses things with Tally, who is now Pretty and has forgotten much of her affair thanks to brainwashing surgery. When the Smokies track him down and offer him a cure, he reminds him of the promise he made when he was ugly.
With a new clique called “Crims” on the scene and a love interest in her life named Zane, Tally must choose to either be beautiful or fight to overthrow the unjust system around her.
Things were arranged in the first phase Ugly film, for the story to follow this trajectory in another, should a Beautiful the movie is ordered.
Ugly now streaming on Netflix.
