Scott Westerfeld, the author of the recent Netflix movie Uglies (2024), has revealed that there are already plans in place to make sequels to the now critically-panned sci-fi-outing. Speaking recently with What’s on Netflix, Westerfield revealed that the streaming giant can option all the novels in the Uglies series but, of course, it all depends on the viewership numbers.
“Yes, my deal with Anonymous allows them to adapt all of the books in both quadrilogies. It seems like we’ve got a great base of views to have at least a couple of sequels made, as long as people keep watching!”
Directed by McG and written by Jacob Forman, Vanessa Taylor, and Whit Anderson, Uglies is based on the book of the same name and drops audiences into a futuristic world that imposes a cosmetic surgery at 16. Here, we follow Tally, who is eager for her turn to join the rest of society. But when a friend runs away, Tally embarks on a journey to save her that upends everything she thought she wanted.
Landing on Netflix last month, Uglies has been mauled by critics, and currently sits at a ‘rotten’ rating of just 16% on the review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes. Meaning the first movie in what could be a new sci-fi franchise will always be marked with a big, green splat by its name. Despite the critical response, Uglies was watched 20 million times in its first three days, taking the #2 spot on Netflix’s most-watched list.
Netflix’s Uglies Brings the Story to Far More People Than the Book Ever Did
Racking up these numbers could be good news for any sequels, with Westerfeld thanking fans of the book for tuning in as well as declaring that the movie now has more eyes on it than the books ever did.
“I always knew that the fandom would show up–they’ve been waiting a long time. Most of the fans who’ve responded to me are very pleased with the adaptation, because it’s faithful and exciting and a lot like a fever dream of reading a whole book in four hours when you’re twelve years old.
Yeah, in books, a few million is a LOT of readers. To see what is now 47 million people having watched it is bananas. It’s especially great to see it at number one in so many countries, including places where the book was never published.”
While luring in millions of viewers is sure to have Westerfeld and Netflix feeling pleased, the reviews will no doubt leave a mark. MovieWeb’s own Richard Fink felt that Uglies even went so far as to “send mixed to dangerous signals.”
“It’s a nice sentiment — people focus too much on their perceived imperfections and the desire always to be “better” while overlooking the best parts of themselves. However, many of Uglies’ creative choices often clash with the movie’s message, which can send mixed to dangerous signals. It’s extreme to frame all cosmetic surgery as inherently negative; many people undergo surgery willingly, not because of outward forces from society. Uglies’ metaphor does not take into consideration the transgender experience.”
Starring Joey King, Keith Powers, Chase Stokes, Brianne Tju, and Laverne Cox,
Uglies
is now available to stream on Netflix.