In a shocking mishap, toy manufacturer Mattel has found itself at the center of a major scandal after accidentally printing the web address of a pornographic site on the packaging of its new Wicked movie dolls.
The Blunder
The information on the boxes of the special edition dolls incorrectly directs customers to a page that requires users to be 18 years or older to enter, rather than the official website for the highly anticipated Wicked film adaptation.
The company informed CNN on Sunday about a misprint on the packaging of the Mattel Wicked collection dolls, primarily sold in the US, that intended to direct consumers to the official WickedMovie.com landing page. “We deeply regret this unfortunate error and are taking immediate action to remedy it. We advise parents that the misprinted, incorrect website is not suitable for children.
We launched the dolls, featuring the lead characters Elphaba and Glinda from the Wicked musical, to coincide with the release of the first part of the two-part film adaptation, starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. Part one of the highly anticipated movie is set to debut in theaters on November 22, with the second film expected in November 2025.
A Concerning Development
Mattel has advised people who have already purchased the Wicked dolls to either discard the packaging or obscure the link, which directs to the website of adult film company Wicked Pictures.
Loading Users encounter a pop-up warning upon accessing Wicked.com, which restricts access to adults 18 and over due to its pornographic content. In stark contrast, WickedMovie.com provides information about the film adaptation and allows fans to view booking times.
Retailers Take Action
The mislabeled dolls have already started appearing on store shelves in Australia, prompting major retailers like Kmart, Myer, and Big W to take immediate action.
“Mattel has informed Myer about this issue, and we are removing stock from stores and online,” a spokesperson for the department store chain stated.
Collectors Seized The Opportunity
Collectors are already reacting to the mishap, listing some misprinted products on eBay for more than $100 and promoting them as rare collectibles.
“On eBay, some misprinted products are already being touted as collectables and are listed for sale at more than $100,” the article notes.
The Wicked Movie Adaptation
The Wicked movie is a highly anticipated adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical, which has been a global success. Last year, it overtook Cats to become the fourth longest-running musical in Broadway history, with more than 8,100 performances.
The film, which features a star-studded cast including Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, and Jeff Goldblum, is a revisionist take on the classic Wizard of Oz tale, telling the story from the perspective of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West.
Mattel’s Apology And Remedy
In its statement, Mattel expressed deep regret for the “unfortunate error” and said it is taking immediate action to remedy the situation. “We deeply regret this unfortunate error and are taking immediate action to remedy it. The company advised parents that the misprinted, incorrect website is not appropriate for children. We advise consumers who have already purchased the dolls to discard the product packaging, obscure the link, and contact Mattel Customer Service for further information.
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