Peter Rabbit Backlash

Feb 13, 2018 | 5:15 AM

A scene in Peter Rabbit has caused such a significant backlash, Sony Pictures and the filmmakers have decided to publicly address the fallout. In a joint statement, they said that “food allergies are a serious issue” and the film “should not have made light” of a character being allergic to blackberries “even in a cartoonish, slapstick way.”

In the film, which opened over the weekend, the character of Mr. McGregor is allergic to blackberries and in one scene, rabbits throw fruit at him, forcing him to use an EpiPen. The group Kids With Food Allergies alerted social media users to the scene on their Facebook page Friday, and the hashtag #boycottpeterrabbit has been gathering force on Twitter ever since.

  • The president and CEO of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation wrote Sony an open letter and asking them to “examine your portrayal of bullying in your films geared toward a young audience.”
  • James Corden, Daisy Ridley and Margot Robbie are among the stars voicing roles for the adaptation of Beatrix Potter‘s classic tale. Will Gluck directed.
  • The studio and filmmakers say that they, “Sincerely regret not being more aware and sensitive to this issue, and we truly apologize.” In its opening weekend, Peter Rabbit grossed about $25 million.