etflix has recently begun streaming its highly anticipated film adaptation of Scott Westerfeld's dystopian novel, 'Uglies'. The movie brings Westerfeld's futuristic world to life with a star-studded cast that includes Joey King, Keith Powers, Chase Stokes, and Brianne Tju. A few days after the film's release, a discussion erupted on social media regarding a particular scene featuring a waterfall.
A viral video from the film's trailer claims that the waterfall shown is the famous Athirapally Falls in Kerala. Known for its majestic beauty and lush green surroundings, Athirapally has appeared in several films, including the recently released Rajinikanth starrer 'Jailer', and the opening scene of the Malayalam movie 'Bramayugam' (2024) starring Mammootty. Despite the buzz, Mathrubhumi English has not independently verified whether the filmmakers shot or used footage of the waterfall in the Hollywood film.
Meanwhile, many users speculate that the filmmakers might have used stock footage or employed VFX to enhance the scene. Some humorously pointed out that if Malayalam cinema could feature Niagara Falls and other international locations, it wouldn’t be surprising if Hollywood filmmakers used visuals from Kerala. According to Deadline, the film, directed by McG and scripted by Jacob Forman, Vanessa Taylor, and Whit Anderson, explores the tension between societal expectations and individual freedom.
Joey King, who also serves as an executive producer on the film, is known for her work with Netflix and Hulu, including roles in 'The Act' and the upcoming series 'We Were the Lucky Ones.'.
