Netflix’sUgliesmade a pretty big change to Peris' character, seemingly stealing a Tally story that shouldn’t happen for two more movies. The 2024 sci-fi film is based on the book series by Scott Westerfeld, which contained three primary novels—Uglies,Pretties, andSpecials. In each of the books, Tally Youngblood, played by Joey King in the Netflix movie, goes through a new transformation. TheUgliesmovie saw her take the first step in this story, butthe changes made to Chase Stokes' Peris foreshadowed her overarching journey.
Just as in theUgliesbook, Peris became Pretty three months before Tally since his 16th birthday came first. Tally had expected their friendship to continue regardless, but after sneaking over to New Pretty Town, she realized that Peris had no interest in keeping contact with an Ugly. She didn’t talk to him again inUgliesuntil Dr. Cable refused to make her Pretty unless Tally helped locatethe Smoke’s secret weapon. Peris was sent to convince his Ugly friend, butthe conversation led the young Pretty to realize something wasn’t quite right with his mind. So, Dr. Cable tuned him into a supersoldier called a Special.
Tally & Shay Both Become Agents Of Special Circumstances In The Uglies Books (Not Peris)
Tally Becomes Special In The Threequel Novel, Specials
Peris becoming a Special never happened in theUgliesbook. However, it’s true that this is a possible fate for Pretties whose minds aren’t easily controlled by the lesions placed there.If someone continues to show signs that their minds are still “ugly,” then Dr. Cable and Special Circumstances will step in.It’s considered an honor since Specials are graced with enhanced muscles and sharpened senses.Peris was never worthy of this in the Uglies books since he was entirely complacentas a Pretty. However, Shay and Tally were deemed “Special.”
In theUgliesmovie, Dr. Cable made Peris a Special after he told her that seeing Tally had made him remember his old self.
Shay voluntarily became a Special in theUgliessequelPrettiesafter her anger at Tally for betraying the Smoke found its way through her Pretty mind. She then helped Dr. Cable capture Tally (after she again escaped from the city) and forcefully made her old friend a Special as well. In the threequel,Specials,Tally and Shay worked together side-by-side as agents of Special Circumstances. Their time as such was easily the most exciting period of theUgliesbook series. Unfortunately, we may never see King’s Tally become a Special on screen.
Will Netflix Ever Adapt Specials Into A Movie?
Netflix’sUgliesleft itself open for thePrettiessequel, but Westefeld’s third book,Specials, may be harder to pull off. The fact that Peris was made a Special somewhat lessons any future twist involving Tally and Shay since it has already been revealed that resistant New Pretties could meet this fate. Still, there could be ways that this exciting storyline could be pulled off with a few further adjustments.The primary obstacle that Netflix would face would be budget, which has already proven to be a significant issue when adapting Westerfeld’s books.
A sci-fi movie series requiring CGI intervention for nearly every character is a tall order.
TheUgliesmovie was first announced in 2006, only a year after the book was published. Of course, it didn’t become a reality until 2024 since a sci-fi movie series requiring CGI intervention for nearly every character is a tall order.PrettiesandSpecialswould be even more time-consuming and costly. Joey King, Brianne Tju, and most of the other cast members couldn’t just appear on screen with their regular old faces. It’s possible that Netflix made the change to Peris' story for precisely this reason—he may be the closest we get to seeing Tally’s Special moment on screen.
Uglies
Cast
In a futuristic society where everyone undergoes compulsory cosmetic surgery at 16 to become “pretty,” Tally eagerly awaits her transformation. However, when her friend goes missing, she embarks on a journey that challenges her beliefs about beauty, conformity, and rebellion, ultimately questioning the foundations of their world.
