Mattel’s ‘Wicked’ dolls share link to porn website on packaging
Toy manufacturer Mattel is under fire for mistakenly listing the web address of a porn site on the packaging for its new Wicked dolls that were made for children aged four and above. The dolls are part of the marketing rollout of Hollywood’s new film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical, which will release in theatres worldwide on November 22nd.
The singing dolls are modelled after Glinda and Elphaba, the two witches in the film who are played by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, respectively. Instead of listing the official web address for the film’s website, wickedmovie.com, the packaging invites purchasers to visit wicked.com, an adult entertainment site.
In a statement on Sunday, Mattel said that it “deeply regret[s] the unfortunate error” and urged parents to throw away the packaging or contact customer service for further assistance (via The Guardian).
It also noted that the dolls are sold primarily in the U.S. and that the company is working to remedy the situation. Given that many of the dolls are already on store shelves or in customers’ homes, it’s likely that the remedy will only affect future versions of the packaging.
As reported by Variety, the dolls have already been sold through major retailers including Amazon, Target, and Kohl’s. Before the mistaken website was discovered, Grande and Erivo posted about the dolls in an Instagram post, saying, “What a dream come true to be realized as Elphaba and Glinda in the form of Sweet Little dolls.” In the caption, Erivo wrote, “Little Cynthia and little Ari are pleased.”
Everything we know about ‘Wicked’
After two decades of success on stage, the Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman musical is coming to cinemas directed by Jon M. Chu, who is best known for helming the box office hit Crazy Rich Asians in 2018.
The story will be told in two instalments, with a sequel landing in theatres in 2015. Set in the Land of Oz before Dorothy’s arrival, the plot focuses on Elphaba and Glinda as they study at Shiz University and become friends before the former becomes the Wicked Witch of the West and the latter becomes the Good Witch of the North.
The musical premiered on Broadway in 2003 and broke box office records around the world, including in Los Angeles and London. It is the second highest-grossing musical of all time behind The Lion King, and is one of only three Broadway musicals (alongside The Lion King and The Phantom of the Opera) to surpass $1 in revenue.
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