Netflix’s Uglies Brings the Heat with a Star-Studded Cast
Fans of Scott Westerfeld’s beloved novel Uglies have eagerly awaited the Netflix adaptation, and the cast promises it won’t disappoint. In a lively interview with Gayety, Joey King, Laverne Cox, Chase Stokes, Keith Powers, and Brianne Tju shared their thoughts on diving into this dystopian world, their characters, and what makes this film a must-watch.
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Joey King: From Fan to Lead Star
Joey King, who plays the lead role of Tally Youngblood, revealed that she has been a fan of the books since she was 11. “I had always held onto the dream that maybe one day I would be able to play Tally Youngblood,” Joey shared. Fast forward to today, and not only is she starring in the film, but she also serves as an executive producer.
For Joey, this film is personal. “I pitched it to Netflix when I was 17 or 18, and now, seeing it come to life is a dream come true,” she said. Joey’s passion for the project is palpable, and her enthusiasm for Tally’s journey of self-discovery will surely resonate with fans.
Laverne Cox Embraces Her “Villain Era”
Laverne Cox, known for her powerful advocacy and diverse roles, steps into the shoes of Dr. Cable, a character who is more villainous than we’re used to seeing from her. But she’s all in. “I’ve always wanted to play a character like this — manipulative, power-hungry, and ultimately someone who believes she’s doing what’s best,” Laverne said. She even joked, “If I’m typecast in this kind of role for the next 10 years, I’ll be fine with that.”
Playing Dr. Cable allowed Laverne to explore a character with more layers than initially meet the eye. “In the book, she’s pure evil, but I wanted to bring more dimensionality to her in the film,” Laverne explained. She’s clearly having a blast stepping into her “villain era,” and we can’t wait to see her take on this complex role.
Keith Powers and Chase Stokes on Friendship and Identity
Chase Stokes and Keith Powers, who play Tally’s friends in the film, shared their excitement about bringing this futuristic story to a 2024 audience. Keith, who has younger siblings, reflected on how relevant the story is today. “It feels amazing to be a part of something like this… It just lets [young people] know that they’re enough and to appreciate who they are,” he said.
Chase, who plays Peris, Tally’s childhood friend with a complicated storyline, enjoyed exploring the duality of his character. “It’s always fun to have those two juxtapositions and it’s such a far departure from what I’ve been doing,” Chase added.
Brianne Tju on Bringing Shay to Life
Brianne Tju brings the rebellious Shay to life, a character fans of the book have always loved for her boldness and bravery. “Shay is such a brave character… I felt like I had big shoes to fill,” Brianne admitted. She praised Shay’s curiosity and her willingness to question everything around her. “She was inspiring for me, and I loved her in the books,” Brianne said with a smile.
Why Uglies Is More Relevant Than Ever
The cast agreed that the themes of Uglies — identity, beauty standards, and the pressure to conform — are more relevant now than ever. Joey summed it up perfectly: “I’m excited for people to be able to hopefully really take what they need from this film and the message.”
This passionate cast and timely story make Uglies a must-watch Netflix hit for fans.
Catch Uglies on Netflix on September 13, and see how this incredible cast brings the iconic novel to life!
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