Anne Hathaway Apologizes For THE WITCHES After Disability Backlash
Earlier this week, members of the disability community condemned the depiction of the title characters in director Robert Zemeckis’ The Witches remake with Anne Hathaway, calling the character designs “offensive to those with limb differences.”
And today, Hathaway has issued an apology.
Hathaway wrote in an Instagram post: “I have recently learned that many people with limb differences, especially children, are in pain because of the portrayal of the Grand High Witch in The Witches. Let me begin by saying I do my best to be sensitive to the feelings and experiences of others not out of some scrambling PC fear, but because not hurting others seems like a basic level of decency we should all be striving for. As someone who really believes in inclusivity and really, really detests cruelty, I owe you all an apology for the pain caused. I am sorry. I did not connect limb difference with the GHW when the look of the character was brought to me; if I had, I assure you this never would have happened. I particularly want to say I’m sorry to kids with limb differences: now that I know better I promise I’ll do better. And I owe a special apology to everyone who loves you as fiercely as I love my own kids: I’m sorry I let your family down.”
A Warner Bros spokesperson told Deadline: “[We are] deeply saddened to learn that our depiction of the fictional characters in The Witches could upset people with disabilities. [We] regretted any offense caused. In adapting the original story, we worked with designers and artists to come up with a new interpretation of the cat-like claws that are described in the book. It was never the intention for viewers to feel that the fantastical, non-human creatures were meant to represent them.”
What do you think? Let us know below!
The film sports a 53% approval rating over on Rotten Tomatoes with a Critics Consensus that reads: The Witches misses a few spells, but Anne Hathaway’s game performance might be enough to bewitch fans of this Roald Dahl tale.
Ronald Dahl’s The Witches with Anne Hathaway is now streaming on HBO Max.
Have you checked out The Witches yet? Make sure to hit us up and let us know what you think in the comments below or on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!
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