Eager fans of the much-anticipated Wicked film, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, received an unexpected shock upon purchasing new Mattel dolls inspired by the movie. In a comical twist, the packaging for these dolls displayed a link to an adult website instead of the intended movie web address, generating waves of amusement and disbelief on social media.
Viral posts began circulating as fans showcased images of the doll packaging, which revealed a pornographic website, causing confusion over the appropriateness of Mattel’s product geared towards children aged four and older. Many took to platforms like Reddit to share their surprise, noting the adult content reference right above the barcode.
"I purchased the Singing Elphaba doll and found the website printed on the back, a site certainly not meant for kids," one user reported. Another added, "I checked the Wicked dolls at Target and Walmart; they all have the same listing!"
The dolls, which feature the characters Elphaba and Glinda from the beloved stage musical based on Gregory Maguire's novel, are gearing up for their cinematic debut on November 22 in both the US and UK. The movie's narrative exploration of friendship, power, and misunderstanding amongst its lead characters adds depth and excitement, giving fans a reason to celebrate beyond just the dolls.
Despite the initial shock, the quirky incident highlights the fun side of fandom, generating a mix of laughter and incredulity within the Wicked community. Mattel has yet to comment on the situation, leaving it to the fans to keep the conversation alive leading up to the film's release.
