Warner Bros. “Deeply Saddened” By ‘The Witches’ Backlash, Apologizes to Disability Community

Warner Bros. has issued an apology after facing criticism over its recent HBO Max adaptation of The Witches. The company shared a statement today following backlash from the disability community, which has called out the film for its depiction of characters’ hands and feet, E! News reports.

“We the filmmakers and Warner Bros. Pictures are deeply saddened to learn that our depiction of the fictional characters in The Witches could upset people with disabilities, and regret any offense caused,” a Warner Bros. spokesperson told the outlet. “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,” the continued. “This film is about the power of kindness and friendship. It is our hope that families and children can enjoy the film and embrace this empowering, love-filled theme.”

The statement comes not long after viewers expressed their concerns on social media, with many looking to Anne Hathaway‘s Grand High Witch character, who is missing multiple fingers. Some pointed out that her hands resemble the condition Ectrodactyly, or “split hand,” a limb condition that results in loss of one or more fingers or toes. The film also identifies witches as having “claws” or missing toes.

British Paralympic swimmer Amy Marren shared her concern with The Witches in a Nov. 2 Tweet, writing, “Was there much thought given as to how this representation of limb differences would effect the limb difference community?!” and tagging Warner Bros. In a follow-up Tweet, she added, “Please educate yourself on #LimbDifferences and the support the idea that you are #NotAWitch because you look different! You can also actively support the limb difference community by using words that describe us as PEOPLE, as it’s not the difference that defines us.”

Disability advocate Shannon Crossland also shared her own message on Instagram, calling the HBO Max film “no way a reflection of the original novel written by Roald Dahl,” per Deadline. “Is this the kind of message we want the next generation to receive,” she wrote. “That having three fingers is a witch’s attribute? It is an extremely damaging portrayal. Disability should NOT be associated with evil, abnormality, disgust, fear or monsters.”

The Witches, which first premiered on HBO Max on Oct. 22, comes from director Robert Zemeckis and was co-written by Guillermo del Toro. The film marks the second adaptation of Dahl’s novel, coming two decades after the first 1990 The Witches movie with Anjelica Huston. Along with Hathaway, The Witches cast includes Stanely Tucci, Octavia Spencer, Chris Rock, Kristin Chenoweth and more.

Stream The Witches on HBO Max