"As someone who really believes in inclusivity and really, really detests cruelty, I owe you all an apology for the pain caused."
In case you missed it, the 2020 adaptation of Roald Dahl's 'The Witches' has come under fire.
Directed by Robert Zemeckis, 'The Witches' stars Anne Hathaway, Octavia Spencer and Chris Rock.
Campaigners of the disability community and Paralympians from across the globe criticised the portrayal of the witches' three-fingered hands.
They argue that the depiction bears likeness to the limb abnormality ectrodactyly, also known as "split hand" or "cleft hand", which is distinguished by the absence of one or more central digits on the hand or foot.
Individuals such as British Paralympic swimmer Amy Marren, disability advocate Shannon Crossland, and former 'Corrie' actress Melissa John, as well as organisations such as the Paralympic Games and non profit the Lucky Fin Project, slammed 'The Witches' on Twitter.
They expressed concern that children suffering from ectrodactyly watching this film will feel like their condition is being likened to that of a witch or a monster.
Warner Bros has expressed feeling "deeply saddened" that the film "upset people with disabilities, and regret any offense caused."
Anne Hathaway, who headlines the film, playing the role of the Grand High Witch, has also offered an aplogy.
Taking to Instagram, she shared a video from the Lucky Fin Project.
She captioned the post: "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.
"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. 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."
She continued: "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."