Emma Thompson’s “fat suit” in Matilda sparks heated debate

Katy Brennan

“If a character needs to be fat, have a fat actor?”

The musical adaption of Matilda is coming very soon, and while we all wait in anticipation, it seems the new released trailer for the film has sparked some controversy online.

Throughout the trailer, Oscar-winning actress Emma Thompson can be seen wearing a “fat suit” for her role as the evil Miss Trunchbull.

The decision to use the suit has been criticised by many, with some going as far as to call the whole film “fat phobic”.

Several people took to Twitter to point out that the role could easily have been played by a bigger woman, rather than a thin woman in a suit.

“We literally never need a skinny actor in a fat suit. And we should definitely hold actors, producers, directors and casting directors accountable to that until they STOP,” one person said.

“Why would there even be a need for a fat suit instead of a fat actor? if a character needs to be fat, have a fat actor?” another wrote.

I can't believe someone would agree to put a thin person into this costume for Matilda the musical. The original was already fat phobic enough but now they put Emma Thompson into a fat suit. pic.twitter.com/TQRo7GrWoo

— Amanda Levitt (@FatBodyPolitics) June 17, 2022

“I can’t believe someone would agree to put a thin person into this costume for Matilda the musical. The original was already fat phobic enough but now they put Emma Thompson into a fat suit,” a third added.

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

Others jumped in to defend Thompson and the new movie.

“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,” one person said.

“It’s not even a fat suit. It’s padding because Trunchbull NEEDS it to be intimidating. Literally wtf is this,” another wrote.

What do you think?