A misprinted website address on Mattel’s new line of dolls based on ‘Wicked’ stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande caused controversy by directing customers to a NSFW page.
The box should have directed buyers to WickedMovie.com, but instead, it listed adult film company Wicked Pictures’ ‘Wicked.com,’ which features adult content and requires +18 verification.
“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 said in a press statement.
“We deeply regret this unfortunate error and are taking immediate action to remedy this. Parents are advised that the misprinted, incorrect website is not appropriate for children. 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.”
The error reportedly specifically appeared on Elphaba and Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) boxes, with an archived Mattel webpage with doll instructions also featuring the incorrect website. The news went viral on multiple Reddit pages.
Comments online differed, with some people criticizing Mattel for the oversight, considering the main customers are children, while others have made light of the mistake.
‘Wicked’ premiered in Los Angeles yesterday. Jon M. Chu directed the film based on the Broadway musical and Gregory Maguire’s original novel about the Wicked Witch of the West and the Good Witch’s relationship.
The adaptation will see its theatrical release on November 22.
