"Uglies", a 2005 dystopian novel by Scott Westerfeld, paints a picture of a future where everyone undergoes mandatory cosmetic surgery at 16 to transform from "Ugly" to "Pretty." The story follows Tally Youngblood, a teenager whose perception of this seemingly utopian society is challenged when her friends Shay and David reveal the dark side of becoming "Pretty." Tally's rebellion against the enforced conformity forms the crux of the narrative.
1964: The Twilight Zone Connection
A thematic link exists between Uglies and a 1964 episode of The Twilight Zone called "Number 12 Looks Just Like You". Both explore the potential pitfalls of a society obsessed with uniform beauty, although Westerfeld admitted to not fully recalling the episode's details despite seeing it as a child.
2005: Uglies Publication
In 2005, Scott Westerfeld's dystopian novel, Uglies, was first published. This marked the introduction of a world where conformity is valued above all else, and beauty is achieved through mandatory surgery at the age of sixteen.
2006: Film Rights Acquisition
20th Century Fox, along with producer John Davis, purchased the film rights to Uglies in 2006. This indicated the novel's potential for a wider audience and a visual representation of its thought-provoking narrative.
2006: Uglies Audiobook Release
Expanding accessibility to the story, 2006 marked the release of an audiobook version of Uglies, available in both CD and cassette formats. This provided an alternative way for readers to experience the dystopian world and its compelling narrative.
2011: Uglies New Cover Release
In 2011, Uglies was re-released with a brand new cover design. This suggests a marketing strategy aimed at attracting new readers and revitalizing interest in the series.
2011: Initial Film Release Delay
The planned 2011 release of the Uglies film adaptation was postponed. The reasons for this delay remain unclear, leaving fans to speculate about the future of the project.
2012: Shay's Story Manga Release
2012 brought a fresh perspective to the Uglies world with the release of "Shay's Story", a manga adaptation illustrated by Steven Cummings. Co-written by Westerfeld and Devin K. Grayson, this graphic novel delves into the story from Shay's point of view, offering a deeper understanding of her character and motivations.
2012: Westerfeld's Inspiration and Commentary
In 2012, Westerfeld revealed the influence of Ted Chiang's short story, "Liking What You See: A Documentary", on the development of Uglies. He emphasized that his aim wasn't to condemn beauty standards but to raise awareness about the increasing prevalence of image manipulation and encourage critical thinking about societal perceptions of beauty.
2018: Imposters Series Announcement
Expanding the Uglies universe, 2018 saw the announcement of a new four-book arc titled the Imposters Series. This signaled a continuation of exploration into the themes of beauty, conformity, and societal expectations.
September 2020: Netflix Acquires Rights and Announces Cast and Crew
In September 2020, Netflix acquired the rights for a film adaptation of Uglies. This marked a significant development in the novel's journey to the screen. Joey King was announced as both star and executive producer, with McG set to direct.