‘Wicked’ Doll Makers Apologize For Porn Site Link, Promise “Immediate Action”

On November 22, the magical world of Oz will come to life on the big screen with the release of Wicked. The film stars Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo, known for her role in Pinocchio (2022), as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. Based on the iconic 2003 Broadway musical, Wicked became a groundbreaking success the moment it premiered.

The movie has been in development for over a decade, originally envisioned as a non-musical TV adaptation for ABC. Several actresses were considered for the lead roles, but in 2016, Universal officially announced plans to adapt Wicked into a film. Initially set for release in 2019, the movie experienced multiple delays, even before the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Related: ‘Wicked’ Movie Sparks Major Oscar Buzz Following Stellar Early Reviews

Just as fans are gearing up for the much-anticipated release of Wicked on the big screen, an unexpected controversy has surfaced involving a popular new line of Wicked-inspired dolls.

Mattel, the toy giant behind beloved brands like Barbie and Hot Wheels, recently launched Glinda and Elphaba dolls in celebration of the upcoming Wicked film. However, a shocking misprint on the dolls’ packaging has led to an embarrassing mix-up that Mattel is racing to address.

A Magical Merchandise Release with a Not-So-Magical Surprise

Fans and collectors alike were thrilled to see the Glinda and Elphaba dolls arrive on store shelves. The dolls were part of a wave of Wicked merchandise meant to capture the excitement for the movie, which stars Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba.

But the excitement quickly turned to disbelief when fans noticed that the website printed on the back of the doll boxes directed them to Wicked.com — a pornographic website — rather than the film’s official site, WickedMovie.com.

This mistake immediately raised eyebrows and concerned many fans, especially parents. The dolls, intended to celebrate the magic of Oz, instead introduced an uncomfortable and unintended issue.

Mattel Responds with an Apology and Action Plan

Following the outcry, Mattel released a statement acknowledging the misprint and assuring customers that corrective actions were underway. Here’s what Mattel had to say:

“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. 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.”

Mattel’s response was swift, but the dolls had already reached major retailers, including Target, Walmart, and Amazon. To ensure safety, these retailers quickly pulled the dolls from their shelves, and Mattel has yet to confirm when corrected versions will be available for purchase.

Not Just a Packaging Error—A Collector’s Opportunity?

Despite the unfortunate circumstances, some fans see the misprinted dolls as a unique collectible. In fact, the dolls with the erroneous packaging are already showing up on resale platforms like eBay, where prices have soared above $400. While Mattel works to correct the issue, it seems some collectors are cashing in on the demand for these rare, albeit flawed, items

A Holiday Deadline Looms

With the holidays fast approaching, Mattel is under pressure to get the corrected dolls back on shelves. Wicked is set to premiere on November 22, just days before Thanksgiving, and fans are eager to celebrate with themed merchandise. The movie was originally set for a November 27 release but was moved up to avoid competing with Disney’s Moana 2, another highly anticipated film.

This leaves Mattel with a tight timeline to fix the issue and meet holiday shopping demands. For now, fans will have to wait and see if the corrected dolls can arrive in time to make it under the tree.

Will you be seeing Wicked when it hits theaters on November 22? Or perhaps you’re hoping to snag one of these accidental collector’s items? Either way, let us know your thoughts in the comments, and stay tuned for more updates as Mattel works to correct this unexpected Wicked twist!