In a surprising turn of events, Mattel has found itself in hot water after launching a new line of dolls inspired by the upcoming film “Wicked”. Customers quickly discovered that the packaging for these dolls contained a link directing them to an adult pornographic website, an oversight that the company attributes to a misprint. The dolls, which represent characters such as Elphaba and Galinda, were meant to create excitement ahead of the film’s theatrical release on November 22.
The snafu was highlighted by the popular X account, Libs of TikTok, which pointed out that instead of linking to the film’s official site, Wickedmovie.com, the packaging erroneously provided a URL for Wicked Pictures, an adult entertainment group. This misleading information has understandably raised eyebrows among parents and toy enthusiasts alike.
Responding to the uproar, Mattel acknowledged the misprint on their social media, stating, “Mattel was made aware of a misprint on the packaging of the Mattel ‘Wicked’ collection dolls, primarily sold in the U.S., which intended to direct consumers to the official WickedMovie.com landing page.” The company expressed their regret over the incident and assured customers they are taking immediate measures to fix the issue.
In their apology, Mattel urged that parents should be cautious of the mislabeling and added, “Consumers who already have the product are advised to discard the product packaging or obscure the link and may contact Mattel Customer Service for further information.” In light of the backlash, the company has pulled the dolls from major retailers such as Target, Walmart, and Amazon. Other major stores like Best Buy and Barnes & Noble have also removed the Wicked toys from their online offerings.
If you’re wondering where you might still find these dolls, they are popping up on secondhand websites like eBay, where prices are skyrocketing between $40 and $2,100, depending on the character and packaging condition. Originally, the dolls had a retail price of $20 to $40. It’s uncertain whether Mattel plans to re-release the dolls once the website issue is corrected.
Commenting on the incident, James Zahn, editor-in-chief of The Toy Book, noted that mistakes happen, stating, “Like any business, mistakes can and do happen in the toy business,” and highlighted that the mix-up was likely an innocent mistake. He also mentioned, “Most consumers — kids and adults alike — will never read the fine print on a package.” This oversight can lead to unexpected situations, especially when it comes to products designed for children.
The film “Wicked”, from which the dolls are inspired, is a beloved adaptation of the musical that began on Broadway in 2003. The story, which reinterprets the characters from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, delves into the complex friendship between Elphaba and Galinda as they navigate their lives in the whimsical land of Oz. Excitingly, the film features Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, heightening anticipation from fans of the musical.
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