As I mentioned in my last post, I spent part of Friday afternoon on the phone with the Uglies movie production team. It was great to go into that conversation armed with all the suggestions you guys have been making, both here and on my Twitter feed.
So thanks for all your input. Now here’s what’s going on:
Uglies is currently optioned to be a movie, or possibly a series of movies if the first one does well. To “option” a book is Hollywood-speak for buying the exclusive right to make a movie based on it. But the buyers don’t have to make a movie. Most options never go anywhere, in fact. But it certainly means that these producers are interested.
(What happens if this group doesn’t make the film(s)? In a couple of years I have the right option the book to someone else. In other words, options have time limits.)
Where are we now? Well, there’s no script, director, or actors lined up yet. So be patient and stop asking me about casting! If there are open auditions, you’ll see it here first.
So this phone call was mostly us getting to know each other and talking about what makes Uglies special to us. Most of the conversation was me talking, which was interesting. Sometimes Hollywood folks seem compelled to tell me all about my books. But these folks listened. And when I told them about my previous post, they were dying to shoot over and read your comments. So keep them coming!
Here are some of the things I told them:
Most of you guys want unknown actors for Tally and Shay, but maybe someone famous for Dr. Cable. The producers get that, and they also understand how important casting is, given that you could break the whole theme of the film by putting the World’s Most Beautiful Actress in the starring role.
I also told them how important setting is to you guys. How the world-building, tech hoverboards, etc., have to be real. This movie should look good, and more importantly, it should look right. Excellently, it turns out that one of the producers has read Bogus to Bubbly. She also sends it along to the screenwriters they’ve been approaching. That is a Good Thing.
I told them you guys want a faithful adaptation, and they said definitely, because, as one of them put it, “The book is a movie already.” In other words, the story doesn’t have to get completely reshaped to fit the screen. (I doubt there will be any of this putting-all-three-books-into-one-movie crap.)
So what are the chances of the movie happening soon? Well, movies cost tens of millions of dollars, and nothing that requires that much money plus human creativity is ever easy to predict. But the producers did say that there’s lots of support for this project at their studio, where certain execs have been known to speak in bubble-talk. This seems like a very good sign to me.
Anyway, that’s everything I know. Watch this space for further developments. So you can stop asking me about casting calls. Seriously.
(Oh, and if you’re one of the producers reading this, don’t worry, I won’t blog every darn thing you say to me. It’s just that a lot of fans have been asking about this for a long time, and I figured it was time to give them a major update. Normally I am a master of discretion, and will only twitter what you say to me.)
OMGGGGG they should put Angelina Jolie for Dr. Cable they could make her totally look like a cruel pretty OMGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!
soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
what about that movie bruh????????????????????????????????
I am a 21 year old actress and have been enthralled with the triology since I was 12! They’re the only books I have reread over 30 times! I would love the opportunity to be casted or up for an audition! I am from Texas so please let me know!
Has the option expired? These are excellent books and should be made
OMG please!! please! please!!! I NEED TOO HAVE THIS BECOME A MOVIE!!!!! when will this happen!!! PLEASE MAKE IT A MOVIE!!
SINCERLY,
ELIZABETH
Would love to see this in movie form, I know you said stop asking. However, you did also say keep posting below! Hopefully there are updates. I just finished another run through of the books and decided to look online for updates, but nothing last 2013 is showing up.
Hi, it would be awesome if the uglies movie and following books came out! As soon as I read the first page I wanted it to become a movie! Sad though it costs so much money, but it could possibly make it up? I would also like to cast for Tally (if there is a movie) but I live in Australia and at the moment (2016) I am younger than 15-16. Could it be possible? As I am kinda taller than most people…? Would really like if you could reply?
Thanks!
I think the actors and or actresses should not be famous because in the book they are described as “normal” people and having well known actresses or actors would defeat the purpose of a movie due to the fact that they are already in the audiences view as “perfect”. Giving locals and or foreigners the option to take a role would be a great opportunity for them and for the director as it portrays them as open-minded individuals. For example for Tally you should find someone who is actually 16 and that fits her personality in real life therefore the character is already experienced in acting as that character. Although I do agree with the point made above to have Dr. Cable as a well known actress. I know that other 16 year old girls like me would love to be apart of the film and would easily jump at the opportunity. And If I were given this tremendous opportunity it would be amazing I would love to play tally because I feel as if I could easily relate to her.
I love how this series was shaped and I would just like to commend you on that. You are my favorite author and have been this since I read Uglies for the first time at the age of ten, but certainly not my last. Tally’s arc as a character is astounding which is the primary reason in which I love her character so much. I have a deep fondness for the Uglies collection and can’t wait to hear new details about this soon-to-be motion picture. I hope to hear about casting calls as well because this would not only launch my career as an actress and performer, but it would give me a chance to become Tally Youngblood. Every thespian has an ultimate dream role they hope to pursue one day. Mine just so happens to be Tally Youngblood.
I wish there was more information of this. It’s my absolute favorite set of books.
Shay and I are like the same person. I would do anything to have an opportunity
I did not know that we are supposed to write the answer here I did it in google class room.
Yayayayayaya!!! When is this movie happening, if it comes!!!!!!! I can’t wait this is amazing! The Uglies would make amazing movie!!!
This is a really old post and I know I’m prooooobably not going to get a response on this but are there any updates on a movie? I’ve been dreaming of being cast as Tally since i first read this book in 6th grade(I remember exactly how my room looked/where I sat when i first read it over 7 years ago) and praying that they wouldn’t cast until i looked old enough. I know he says to stop asking to be cast but 3 years later and I’m still waiting to hear how I can be involved. Hope this turns into a movie I can see it being big.
I have four sisters, and we all read the series. I would love to see a movie for this. However, I don’t think we’ll ever get to see it, not that it’s taken so long. *sigh*
Really wishing we could get some kind of update here… The first time I read Uglies I was 12. I fell completely in love with it and read all three books in less than a week. I never could really get into Extras though. I have read the books countless times since then. I just recently rediscovered them when I was moving, so I reread them and now I’m scouring the internet for an update on the movie. I still don’t understand why they made 5 Twilight movies and they still haven’t made Uglies -_- The way things are in the world today I feel like it would open the eyes of so many people (and satisfy all us fans who have been waiting YEARS for this). I’m probably not going to get a response but I figured I’d leave a comment anyway. If anyone has any recent news about the Uglies movie, please let me know. 🙂
Hi I’m a 12 year old female and I would really like to start an acting career. Even if it it just an extra, I would like to have a chance to play a part in this movie because I have read the books and I think this might be a good start to my future!
OMG That is so great i’m so amazed i have always said that there should be a movie for that book i read i all the time when i have nothing to read it is my go to book i love it so much. i think that a movie would be fantastic if it was made correctly if not then i would be a total flop. but how much work that seems to be being put into this it will hopefully be great. i have an idea on a couple of actors & actress’s for the movie i hope you don’t mind. Danielle Campbell would make a great Shay. Laura Marano would be great as Tally. Asa Butterfield would be a great one for David of Croy. So would Thomas Brodie-Sangster.
Hi! I am a 14 year old girl. Brown hair and eyes, 5 foot 4 inches. If given the chance I would love to audition for this movie! Thank you!
I am so frustrated that this hasn’t been turned into a movie yet!!! I first read the books about 10 years ago and I’m now in my mid-20s, it’s such an amazing series with such fantastic world building and impressive moral implications. Especially with how cinematic TV is becoming now, this series has so much potential!!! Although putting it out there, I strongly disagree with casting unknown actors, that’s how Mortal Instrument and Maximum Ride became such disappointing flops. With such great dialogue you need people to deliver the lines as though they actually care and believe what they’re saying, not just over-acting “Look I’m in my mid-20s but if I act like I don’t care I’ll seem like a teenager” types.
I would love to see this series become a movie or a series of movies. They have such an amazing plot that would be perfect for a movie setting. I am 16 and would love to play either Tally or Shay, since I feel both characters I could connect with a lot. I am from California, please consider and thank you for writing this series.
Angelina Jolie should be Dr Cable, she has a cruel pretty face
How about an update?