Emma Thompson has found herself at the center of a social media storm after Netflix released a first look at her in its upcoming movie-musical Matilda.
The 63-year-old actress plays evil headmistress Agatha Trunchbull in the film, which is a musical adaption of Roald Dahl's beloved 1988 book.
In the photos, Thompson is almost unrecognizable thanks to facial prosthetics that have transformed her into the wicked Trunchbull. However, her costume also includes another image-altering feature that many fans aren't happy about - a fat suit.
Many have taken to Twitter to call out Thompson - who has always been an advocate for body positivity - and question why a plus-size actor wasn't cast in the role instead.
"It has been really disappointing to see Emma Thompson put on a fat suit for this role. I’ve always loved her work. But this is just so gross," one person tweeted.
"I love Emma Thompson. She's amazing. However, there are many wonderfully talented plus-sized actresses who are constantly disregarded & should be considered for these roles instead of making a thin actress wear a fat suit," another chimed in.
"The new matilda adaptation looks fun but did we have to put emma thompson in a fat suit with facial prosthetics...... I'm sure there are thousands of talented actresses that could play ms trunchbull who actually fit the role's body type," added a third.
But not everyone agreed that the blame should fall on Thompson's shoulders. So people defended the Love Actually star, saying that the real problem was with the character of Ms. Trunchbull and the storyline of Dahl's classic tale.
"I've said before I've serious problems with Roald Dahl's conflation of physical appearance & personality (pretty people good, ugly people bad)," one person tweeted, adding: "There are newer, better & kinder books. We don't need to keep regurgitating Matilda."
Another agreed, writing: "The initial failure is that almost every woman Dahl wrote is either a sugar-sweet, pretty, good natured Miss Honey or a haggard evil (and in his mind, physically disgusting) Miss Trunchbull."
This isn't the first time Thompson has worn body-changing prosthetics for a role. The Oscar-winner has previously donned fake bingo wings and jowls in The Legend of Barney Thomson, and a fat suit for Love Actually.
