After spending years in development hell, Netflix finally releasedUgliesin September 2024, butthe movie was actually filmed three years later in one city (and its surrounding areas) in the United States.The science fiction drama, directed by McG and written by Jacob Forman, Vanessa Taylor, and Whit Anderson, isan adaptation of Scott Festerfeld’s 2005 bookUglies. It follows Joey King’s Tally Youngblood, a young teenager on the precipice of turning 16. When she does, Tally will finally be able to become a “Pretty” by undergoing the same surgery that everyone has when they reach 16 years old.
Netflix hasn’t announced that anUgliessequel is in development yet. However, the science fiction drama’s cliffhanger ending (mixed with the fact that the film sits at the top of Netflix’s charts) suggests that the story will continue with adaptations of the next two books in Scott Westerfeld’sUgliesseries —PrettiesandSpecials.
Aside from King,the cast ofUgliesincludes Brianne Tju as Shay, Keith Powers as David, Chase Stokes as Peris, and Laverne Cox as Dr. Cable. Theseactors and the crew traveled to Atlanta, Georgia, to film the majority of the dystopian moviein late 2021. They wrapped production by December 2021, andNetflix releasedUgliesa little less than three years later.
Atlanta Central Library
Uglyville
Before becoming “Pretty,“the “Uglies” live in the dorms in Uglyville in the Netflix science fiction drama.For these dormitory scenes, the cast and crew filmed at the Atlanta Central Library in Atlanta, Georgia (according toTravel Noire). Some of the moments featuring Tally, Shay, Peris, and the other “Uglies” in Uglyville were assumingly captured in a production studio (especially the scenes in Tally’s room). However, the exterior shots were filmed at the Atlanta Central Library.
When babies are born in the world ofUglies, they live with their parents in New Pretty Town and are called “Littlies.” However,when they turn 12 years old, they officially get categorized as “Uglies” and are sent to Uglyville.They live there until they reach 16 and are eligible to have the infamous surgery and return to New Pretty Town. So, that’s whyTally is separated from her parents inUgliesand why Uglyville is so drab compared to New Pretty Town.
Atlanta Botanical Garden
New Pretty Town
Whereas Uglyville is gray and boring, New Pretty Town is full of life. So, it makes sense why theUgliesproduction team chose the Atlanta Botanical Garden as the filming location for the “Pretties'” living quarters in the Netflix movie.The scene where Tally sneaks into the vibrant city to meet withPeris inUglieswas shot at the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
DeVon Johnson
Az
Of course,the scene in New Pretty Town also features many special effects and CGIthat the editors used to bring the city to life. The Atlanta Botanical Garden doesn’t actually look like that in real life. However, when visiting the beautiful gardens in Atlanta, Georgia, one should be able to recognize some features that were included in the NetflixmovieUglies, like the Earth Goddess sculpture.
Park Drive Bridge in Piedmont Park, Atlanta, Georgia
Bridge From Uglyville To New Pretty Town
PerAtlas of Wonders, theUgliescast and crew utilized the Park Drive Bridge located in Piedmont Park, Atlanta, Georgia, to double as the bridge connecting Uglyville to New Pretty Town in the film. As many will recall, Tally used the structure to cross the river to visit Peris in New Pretty Town. However, when returning,Tally was almost caught by the authorities while standing on the bridge’s arches.Thankfully, Shay showed up on herhoverboard inUgliesand saved Tally from getting punished for sneaking into the city.
Surprising Theory Claims That Netflix’s New Sci-Fi Movie Is A Secret Hunger Games Prequel
Netflix’s Uglies and the Hunger Games franchise exist in two separate universes, but there is enough in common to shape a rather fun prequel theory.
While the production crew used the Park Drive Bridge to film theUgliesscene, it’s not that long in real life. Theeditors were able to digitally elongate it to fit in the dystopian world.The majority ofthe scenes in Netflix’sUgliesuse special effects, and the bridge sequence is no different.
Porsche Experience Center Atlanta
Dr. Cable’s Headquarters
Similar to the Uglyville dorm scenes, many of the sequences that took place in Dr. Cable’s headquarters were likely captured in a production studio (like when theUgliescharacters received the “Pretties” surgery). However, the exterior of the building is the Porsche Experience Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Aside fromUglies,the Porsche Experience Center Atlanta has doubled as the Avengers headquartersin the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
New Manchester Mill Ruins, Lithia Springs, Georgia
Smoke Outpost
WhenUgliestakes viewers outside Uglyville and New Pretty Town, the special effects and CGI are (mostly) left behind. For example, the scene where Tally reunites with Shay at the Smoke outpost was filmed at the New Manchester Mill Ruins in Lithia Springs, Georgia. The structure used to be a five-story water-powered mill during the mid-1800s. However, it wasburned down during the Civil War and is now a popular tourist attraction and filming location(somescenes inThe Hunger Games: Mockingjay– Part 1were also shot at the New Manchester Mill Ruins).
Pine Mountain Gold Museum in Villa Rica, Georgia, & Stone Mountain Park, Stone Mountain, Georgia
The Smoke
The last knownUgliesfilming locations are the Pine Mountain Gold Museum in Villa Rica, Georgia, and Stone Mountain Park, Stone Mountain, Georgia. These areas doubled as the Smoke and were used for other forest scenesinJoey King’s 2024 Netflix sci-fi movie. The Pine Mountain Gold Museum and Stone Mountain Park are located just outside of Atlanta, so, theUgliescast and crew didn’t have to travel far for the Smoke scenes.
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.
