Joey King, the star of the film adaptation of “Uglies,” has expressed her strong approval for director McG, reminiscing about the recruitment process that felt similar to when Drew Barrymore brought McG on board for the “Charlie’s Angels” films.
Now available on Netflix, “Uglies” is based on Scott Westerfeld’s 2005 novel. The story unfolds in a society where residents undergo surgery at age 16 to attain perfection in looks, personality, and abilities, becoming known as “pretties.” Prior to this transformation, they are referred to as “uglies” and live in a distinct compound separated from the pretties.
In the film, Joey King portrays Tally Youngblood, a character eager to become pretty, only to discover that the surgery may not deliver the idyllic life she imagined. King is also an executive producer on the project, and McG noted that her commitment to bringing him on as director mirrored the support he received from Barrymore.
McG recounted that King resonated with his vision for the film during their discussions, leading to a moment of mutual agreement. He stated, “It was very reminiscent of what Drew Barrymore did all those days ago with the ‘Charlie’s Angels’ pictures,” emphasizing the importance of collaborative relationships in filmmaking.
He praised King for her bravery, especially in performing her own stunts such as lying in a burning field and hanging from a helicopter alongside co-star Brianne Tju. McG characterized King as an exceptional partner, highlighting her talent, dedication, and leadership qualities on set.
“Uglies” is currently streaming on Netflix.