Mattel’s Recent Collaboration with Wicked: A Packaging Mishap
In a surprising turn of events, Mattel, the renowned toy manufacturer known for beloved brands like American Girl, Barbie, and Monster High, has found itself in the limelight for an unexpected reason. The company recently launched its latest range of dolls themed around the highly anticipated movie Wicked, featuring characters Glinda and Elphaba, portrayed by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, respectively. Unfortunately, the packaging of these dolls has sparked significant online discussion due to a glaring oversight.
Controversial Link on Doll Packaging
On November 10, 2024, social media user @just2goodYT, whose real name is Sarah Genao, took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to reveal a shocking detail about the packaging of the Wicked dolls. She found that the boxes included a link leading to an inappropriate website, which was an unintended and concerning mistake.
The official Mattel Wicked dolls link to a porn site on the box? ? pic.twitter.com/iW4mNVAlPE
— just2good (Sarah Genao) (@just2goodYT) November 9, 2024
The link intended for consumers was meant to direct them to the official Wicked movie website. Instead, the dolls’ packaging mistakenly featured a link that led to explicit content, raising alarms among parents and guardians.
Public Reaction to the Packaging Error
The blunder did not go unnoticed, with many netizens finding humor in the situation while others raised valid concerns. Commenters speculated on the potential consequences for the Mattel team responsible for this oversight, especially since the target audience for these products is primarily children.
That’s an insane oversight, someone getting fired lol
— Spann (@SpannDaMan) November 10, 2024
Whoever did this needs to be fired immediately cuz why would they do that knowing that it’s mostly kids buying these dolls
— mel (@fallinformel) November 10, 2024
Mattel’s Response to the Incident
In light of the growing backlash, Mattel promptly issued a statement addressing the mishap. They expressed their regret over the error, confirming that the intention was to hyperlink to the official Wicked movie website. The company is reportedly taking steps to rectify the issue, which may include recalling dolls still available in retail outlets.
Furthermore, Mattel cautioned parents who purchased the dolls that the misprinted link would lead to material unsuitable for young audiences.
Looking Forward: The Wicked Movie Premiere
As a point of interest, the Wicked film adaptation is slated to debut in theaters on November 22, 2024. This cinematic interpretation draws from the acclaimed Broadway musical, setting the scene in the Land of Oz prior to the arrival of Dorothy Gale. The first act will dive into the characters’ origins, particularly focusing on Elphaba as she attends Shiz University and forges a complicated bond with Glinda.
For those eager for more, the second part of Wicked is currently scheduled for release in November 2025, promising to continue this enchanting narrative.
For full coverage and visuals regarding Mattel’s packaging error, you can check out the original report here.
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