The Wicked Witch Hunt: Online Fan Fury Erupts Over a Movie Poster
Last week, the release of a new poster for Warner Bros.’s Wicked ignited a firestorm of online drama. The poster, featuring Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, is a stylish homage to the iconic Broadway play’s original artwork. However, a seemingly minor difference in the depiction of Erivo’s character sparked a furious backlash from fans, forcing the actress herself to intervene.
The original Broadway poster, a near-mythological image to Wicked enthusiasts, featured Elphaba’s face partially obscured by her signature witch’s hat, creating a mysterious and menacing silhouette. Warner Bros.’s recreation, while otherwise faithful to the original, presented Erivo’s face clearly visible. This seemingly minute alteration proved to be a powder keg, particularly for certain segments of the fandom.
The Fan Edit Frenzy:
The internet, never one to shy away from a debate, reacted swiftly and intensely. A wave of fan-edited posters emerged, attempting to "correct" Warner Bros.’s version by manipulating Erivo’s image. These edits frequently included:
- Adding shadows to obscure Erivo’s eyes: This aimed to recreate the Broadway poster’s sense of shadowy menace and mystery.
- Altering Erivo’s lip color: Many edits darkened her lips to match the deep red of the original Elphaba’s lipstick, further emphasizing the "wicked" aspect of the character.
But the alterations didn’t stop there. The online efforts escalated into even more bizarre territory. AI-generated videos surfaced, depicting bizarre and often offensive scenarios involving the two actresses, referencing inappropriate in-fandom memes. These videos, along with countless edited posters, flooded social media, demonstrating the intense and sometimes disturbing passion of the Wicked fanbase.
Cynthia Erivo Speaks Out:
The escalating online behavior reached a breaking point when Erivo herself took to Instagram to address the situation directly. In a powerful statement, she condemned the fan edits and AI videos, highlighting the deeply offensive and hurtful nature of these actions.
**“This is the wildest, most offensive thing I have seen, equal to that awful AI of us fighting, equal to people posting the question ‘is your *** green.’ None of this is funny. None of this is cute. It degrades me. It degrades us,” Erivo wrote.
She continued to explain the significance of the visible difference, stating: “The original poster is an illustration. I am a real life human being, who chose to look right down the barrel of the camera to you, the viewer…because, without words we communicate with our eyes. Our poster is an homage not an imitation, to edit my face and hide my eyes is to erase me. And that is just deeply hurtful.”
Erivo’s clear and emotional response underscored the seriousness of the situation. Her words were not merely a rebuke of bad fan art; they were a powerful statement against the online erasure and misrepresentation of her image and her identity as a Black woman in a high-profile adaptation of a culturally significant musical. It served as a wake-up call for many fans who seemingly didn’t appreciate the severity of using a star’s likeness to perpetuate harmful narratives. The actress’s statement became a powerful moment of resistance against online toxicity and harmful misrepresentation.
Beyond the Poster: A Deeper Look at Fandom Behavior:
The Wicked poster controversy goes beyond a simple disagreement over artistic interpretation. It highlights several crucial issues within online fandoms:
The Line Between Fan Art and Obsessive Behavior: The line separating passionate fan art from obsessive and potentially harmful behavior can be blurry. While creative expressions of fandom are generally accepted, this instance crossed a line into potentially harassing actions, significantly impacting the emotional wellbeing of one of the key actors.
The Dangers of Online Toxicity: The internet often provides anonymity and fosters a sense of disinhibition, which can lead to amplified negativity and abusive behavior. This incident showcases how quickly online discussions can escalate into something harmful and damaging.
Race and Representation in Fandom: Considering the racial dynamics involved, the situation raises questions about the role of race and representation in fandoms. The criticism leveled against the Warner Bros. poster specifically addressed the way Erivo’s image was altered, highlighting the potential for racial bias and the erasure of Black female leads in media.
- The Impact on Actors: This event powerfully emphasizes that online actions have real-world consequences for the people involved. Erivo’s public statement underscores the emotional distress that actors can experience when facing online negativity and harassment stemming from their work.
Wicked’s Release and Runtime:
Despite this online drama, anticipation remains high for the film’s release. Wicked, the first of a two-part adaptation, is set to hit theaters on November 22nd. Initial concerns regarding its runtime have been clarified. Websites like AMC Theatres, Fandango, and Moviefone all confirm a runtime of two hours and 40 minutes, mirroring the length of the Broadway play including an intermission. The film’s extended length suggests an ambitious attempt to faithfully recreate the depth and complexity of the stage production across a two-film series. Perhaps the extra length will help justify the adaptation’s decision to use two movies to tell the story.
Looking Ahead:
The Wicked poster controversy serves as a cautionary tale. While fan engagement and creative expression are vital to the success of many franchises, it’s crucial to maintain a healthy respect for the individuals involved and to avoid actions that could be construed as harassment or harmful. The outburst illustrates the need for more responsible online behavior and a greater awareness of the potential consequences of online interactions, particularly regarding the mental and emotional well-being of the cast and the industry as a whole. While the film’s release remains highly anticipated, the online drama surrounding its poster serves as a potent reminder of the darker side of internet culture and the challenge of managing passionate – and, sometimes dangerously obsessive – fanbases in the age of social media.
