Anne Hathaway Apologizes for Disability Portrayal in 'The Witches'

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LOS ANGELES (Variety.com) – “The Witches” star Anne Hathaway has apologized for the portrayal of disability in the film.

“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,'” Hathaway posted on her Instagram page.

“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,” Hathaway wrote.

“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.”

Hathaway’s apology was accompanied by a video from the Lucky Fin Project.

Lucky Fin is a non-profit project aimed to raise awareness, support and celebrate those born with symbrachydactyly or limb difference.

The group was one of the first organizations to object to the limb difference portrayed in HBO Max’s “The Witches.”

Warner Bros. had issued an apology on Wednesday.

Directed by Robert Zemeckis, “The Witches” debuted on HBO Max in October. It is the second film adaptation of Dahl’s popular children’s book. The story centers on young boy who stumbles upon a gathering of witches while staying with his grandmother at a hotel. After finding out their evil plan to turn the world’s children into mice, he works with his grandmother to thwart their wicked plot. Along with Hathaway, the cast includes newcomer Jahzir Kadeem Bruno, Octavia Spencer, Stanley Tucci, Chris Rock and Kristin Chenoweth.