Joey King’s new movie “Uglies” is the culmination of a dream the actress had 14 years ago.
“I read the book when I was 11, and I loved the idea and hoped one day I’d be able to play Tally Youngblood if someone made an adaptation of it,” she told Access Hollywood ahead of the film’s release.
“Cut to years later – I think I was 17 or 18 when I asked Netflix what they thought about making this. I was 22 when we made it, and now 25 when it’s coming out,” she continued.
“I’ve been with this story for a long time, and I’ve changed so much as a person from the time that I read it when I was a young girl to the time that that I pitched it and wanted to make it,” Joey added. “So it’s really special that it’s this piece of something that was so important to me as a kid that I get to bring to life.
“Uglies” tells the story of Tally Youngblood, a teen growing up in a futuristic dystopia with mandatory beauty standards.
Joey’s co-star Brianne Tju also connected with the book as a kid, telling Access Hollywood she bought it at a Scholastic Book Fair in elementary school.
“At such a young age, I think that I wasn’t fully able to bring the message into my life yet, but it’s so crazy how more than 15 years later after the book was released, it is more timely than ever,” Brianne said.
The film also stars Keith Powers and Chase Stokes, who gushed over getting to work with such a great cast, including Joey.
“Joey’s just one of those people you feel like you’ve known your whole life,” said. “She just brings that energy everywhere she goes. It was kind of a no-brainer and was so fun to not just work with her, but this entire cast. She’s a badass – and I mean, who better to pick for a young female’s hero journey? She is the ideal person to do this, and she does it with such beauty and such grace and with so much talent for it.”
“Uglies” hits Netflix on Sept. 13.