Mattel ‘deeply regrets’ porn site misprint on Wicked dolls

Mattel has issued an apology after a misprint on the packaging of its new Wicked-themed dolls led to an adult website address being listed instead of the official movie web address. The dolls, inspired by the upcoming film Wicked, which stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, were recently released ahead of the movie’s November debut.

The mistake was noticed by fans who spotted the erroneous website address on the doll packaging, prompting a wave of social media posts. In some cases, the misprint featured a link to a pornography website, which was printed near the Universal Pictures logo. Universal Pictures is the film studio behind the movie. The dolls, including those of Glinda and Elphaba, are primarily marketed to children aged four and above, with Mattel recommending them for kids in this age range.

On social media, some fans shared their surprise. One Reddit user posted an image of the Elphaba doll’s packaging, pointing out the misprinted link, which led to an adult website. “Anyone else seeing this?!” they asked. A woman in the U.S. also mentioned seeing the same issue in stores like Target and Walmart. According to Mattel, the dolls were mainly sold in the United States, though some might have reached international markets.

In response to the backlash, Mattel issued a statement of regret. The company described the error as “unfortunate” and reassured customers that it was taking steps to address the issue. “The misprinted website is not appropriate for children,” the statement said. Mattel advised customers who had already purchased the dolls to either discard the packaging or obscure the link to prevent any accidental exposure to the inappropriate website.

Mattel also encouraged parents to reach out to their customer service team for further information. The company is reportedly working quickly to remove any remaining dolls with the misprint from store shelves.

The Wicked movie, which will be released on November 22 in both the U.S. and the U.K., is based on the popular Broadway musical that has been running for nearly two decades. The film adaptation covers the first act of the stage show, set in the Land of Oz before Dorothy’s arrival. Cynthia Erivo plays Elphaba, a misunderstood young woman with green skin who will eventually become the Wicked Witch of the West. Ariana Grande stars as Glinda, Elphaba’s classmate and friend, who will grow into the Good Witch of the North.

This misprint comes as a reminder of the complexities involved in marketing children’s products, especially when involving popular franchises like Wicked. While Mattel has moved quickly to address the situation, the error has sparked considerable conversation online, particularly among concerned parents.

Mattel has urged those who have purchased the dolls to contact customer service if they have concerns and to take precautions in removing or obscuring the misprinted information. Despite the blunder, the company maintains that it is committed to ensuring its products are suitable for children and regrets the oversight.

As for the Wicked movie itself, fans are eagerly awaiting its release, and the dolls, despite the mishap, are expected to remain a popular collectible item. With an all-star cast and the legacy of the long-running musical, the film has already generated significant excitement, which may help overshadow this temporary controversy.