Mattel Faces Legal Action After Pornographic URL Found on 'Wicked' Doll Packaging!

In a shocking turn of events, toy giant Mattel is being hit with a class action lawsuit following a major packaging blunder involving its special-edition “Wicked” dolls. The legal complaint stems from a South Carolina resident who inadvertently exposed her young daughter to explicit content due to a pornographic link printed on the doll’s packaging.

Court documents reveal that the packaging erroneously displayed a URL that directed consumers to an adult entertainment site, Wicked Pictures, instead of linking to the official website for the film adaptation of the Broadway musical "Wicked," which features notable stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. The plaintiff claims that her daughter visited the X-rated website, resulting in what they describe as “emotional distress,” asserting that had they known about the misprint, they would have never made the purchase.

The plaintiff highlighted the severity of the situation, stating in the lawsuit, “These scenes were hardcore, full on nude pornographic images depicting actual intercourse. Plaintiff’s minor daughter immediately showed her mother the photographs and both were horrified by what they saw.” This alarming revelation raises serious questions about the quality control protocols in place at major toy manufacturers.

In response to this backlash, Mattel has already withdrawn the affected dolls from retail outlets including Target, Amazon, and Kohl’s. The company has acknowledged the error and stated that they intended to direct consumers to the correct website, WickedMovie.com. As a precaution, they have advised customers to either discard the packaging or block the link.

While the lawsuit is underway, Mattel has announced that the corrected packaging of the "Wicked" dolls is now available for purchase online and in stores, catering to what they describe as a strong demand from consumers who are eager to buy the product despite the earlier mishap.

Interestingly, if one thinks this mistake might have affected the performance of the "Wicked" film at the box office, think again! According to Universal's chief marketing officer Michael Moses, this incident hasn’t harmed ticket sales. In fact, the musical, which opened to an impressive $112 million in its debut weekend, has grossed a staggering $263 million domestically and around $360 million worldwide.

Moses commented on the situation, “I don’t think that all press is good press... I think that was an example of one that’s an anecdote more than a threat.”

As parents and consumers alike await further developments from both Mattel and the court case, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential pitfalls in product marketing and the paramount importance of ensuring that children’s toys remain appropriate for their intended audience. Stay tuned as we continue to follow this unfolding story!