• News
  • Life
  • TV & Film
  • Beauty
  • Style
  • Home
  • News
    • Celebrity
    • Entertainment
    • Politics
    • Royal Family
  • Life
    • Animals
    • Food & Drink
    • Women's Health
    • Mental Health
    • Sex & Relationships
    • Travel
    • Real Life
  • TV & Film
    • True Crime
    • Documentaries
    • Netflix
    • BBC
    • ITV
    • Tyla Recommends
  • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Make-up
    • Skincare
  • Style
    • Home
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
Submit Your Content
Emma Thompson's 'Fat Suit' In Matilda Remake Starts Debate

Home> TV & Film

Updated 10:16 21 Jun 2022 GMT+1Published 09:51 21 Jun 2022 GMT+1

Emma Thompson's 'Fat Suit' In Matilda Remake Starts Debate

The Oscar-winning actress is starring as the dreaded Agatha Trunchbull

Daisy Phillipson

Daisy Phillipson

Emma Thompson was pictured wearing a ‘fat suit’ in the Matilda adaptation, sparking a furious debate online. 

The Oscar-winning actress is starring as the dreaded Agatha Trunchbull in the hotly anticipated Matilda the Musical, which offers a modern spin on the 1996 family favourite movie based on Roald Dahl’s book of the same name. 

Thompson will be joining Alisha Weir as the titular character and Lashana Lynch as Miss Honey, but unlike her other co-stars she’s sporting heavy prosthetics and a suit to make her appear heavier than she actually is.  

The decision to use a so-called fat suit has been criticised by many, including Metro columnist Emmie Harrison-West who said seeing the image of Thompson as the terrifying headmaster reminded her of the ‘shame of being picked last in PE’.

“Fat suits have been so normalised that some people probably haven’t even noticed – and that is what is so frustrating,” she wrote.

Advert

Emmie went on to point out that this isn’t the first time the 63-year-old Nanny McPhee star has donned body-altering prosthetics, having had fake bingo wings and jowls fitted for her role in The Legend of Barney Thomson and a similar suit as Karen in Love Actually. 

Speaking about the latter instance, the Harrison-West wrote: “You know, the presumably size 16, ‘frumpy’, comfortable-shoe-and-floor-length-skirt-wearing middle-aged wife that was inevitably cheated on?

Emma Thompson stars as Miss Trunchbull.
Sony

“As a bigger woman, I find this caricaturisation of my body type utterly dehumanising, and degrading. It’s not ethical, authentic or representative of any lived experiences whatsoever.”

Advert

Over on Twitter, many people agreed with this sentiment, with one writing: “The Trunchbull in the new Matilda movie is being played by Emma Thompson in a fat suit… f**k that entirely.”

Another commented: “They made this movie. They used an actress who was actually a bigger woman. It can be done and has been done - with Matilda specifically!!”

“I wonder if the studio forgot that in Matilda (1996) Miss Trunchbull was an Olympian (1972, shot putter, hammer, and javelin thrower),” added a third. “She was tall, built, thick, why on earth would they go with a skinny woman in a fat suit??”

Advert

On the other side of the fence, a number of fans jumped to the defence of Thompson and the production team, including this person who said: “The film is coming out, the trailer looks amazing. But all you want to do is talk about a fat suit???”

A second chimed in: “A distinction should be made between fat suit performances and Emma Thompson in Matilda. Trunchbull is a towering, muscular former Olympic athlete, and Thompson has been outfitted accordingly. 

“Yes, her costuming alters her body’s appearance. But she’s not playing a fat character.”

Advert

LADbible has contacted Netflix for a comment.

Featured Image Credit: Netflix/Sony/PA

Topics: TV And Film, Life

Daisy Phillipson
Daisy Phillipson

Daisy graduated from Kingston University with a degree in Magazine Journalism, writing a thesis on the move from print to digital publishing. Continuing this theme, she has written for a range of online publications including Digital Spy and Little White Lies, with a particular passion for TV and film. Contact her on [email protected]

X

@DaisyWebb77

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

6 days ago
14 days ago
19 days ago
27 days ago
  • 6 days ago

    Devil Wears Prada ‘villain’ will not be returning for sequel

    It's been reported that an actor who played a huge role in the 2006 flick won't be making a comeback

    Entertainment
  • 14 days ago

    People are just realising where they recognise Love Island USA star from

    Fans of the American version of the hit reality TV shows are rushing to social media to share their reactions to the new Casa Amor bombshell

    Entertainment
  • 19 days ago

    Lilo and Stitch fans have 'goosebumps' after realising why original movie was forced to be drastically changed

    The Disney classic could have been a very different film without the changes made before its release

    Entertainment
  • 27 days ago

    1000-lb Sisters Tammy Slaton reveals heartbreaking reason why she will no longer date men

    The reality star has been in the spotlight recently after her incredible transformation following skin removal surgery

    Entertainment
  • Emma Watson recalled moment she fell in love with co-star Tom Felton
  • When ‘cuffing season’ actually starts as singletons issued warning
  • Thomas Brodie-Sangster fans shocked after realising how old he is in this photo
  • JK Rowling claimed she would 'never forgive' Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson