Roald Dahl fans were treated to the 2020 film adaptation of his classic book “The Witches,” with Anne Hathaway playing the Grand High Witch. Sadly, a controversy overshadowed the colorful film when there was backlash over Hathaway’s character, who was depicted with having three long fingers on each hand. Comedian Alex Brooker, who has a limb difference, stated to BBC, “What sort of message does this give? To me, it sends out a message that we should be scared of people with missing fingers. A lot of kids and adults have that — that’s a life people live. It doesn’t need to add to the stigma.” Actor Grace Mandeville shared, “The truth is children will watch this movie and some will then be scared of people that have limb impairments or ectrodactyly [a split hand] thanks to this film.”
Following the criticism, Hathaway took to Instagram to post a video from Lucky Fin Project and wrote, “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.” She went on to state, “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.”
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