Emma Thompson's Matilda Casting Controversy Explained (Is It Fair?)

screenrant.com:

Emma Thompson has been cast as Miss Trunchbull in Netflix’s Matilda, but the role and the character's portrayal have sparked controversy. Sony and Netflix are producing an adaptation of the Tony- and Olivier-Award-winning musical version of Matilda, which is based on the Roald Dahl story of the same name. The cast includes Alisha Weir as Matilda, No Time to Die's Lashana Lynch as Miss Honey, and Stephen Graham and Andrea Riseborough as Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood, alongside Thompson in the much-discussed part of Miss Trunchbull.

Matilda tells the story of Matilda Wormwood, a smart young girl who discovers she has telekinetic powers. Neglected by her family, she connects with her school teacher, Miss Honey, who is also her one refuge in a school run by the evil Miss Trunchbull. Emma Thompson’s principal character is an ex-hammer-thrower, strict rule abider, and big child-hater. Throughout the story, Miss Trunchbull punishes the children in extreme ways, including locking them in a dark closet called «The Chokey,» forcing them to eat a large chocolate cake, and twirling them around by their hair on the playground.

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Matilda’s family is ignorant of her gifts and do neglect her, but Miss Trunchbull is the real villain of the story. Miss Trunchbull — who was originally meant to be played by Voldemort actor Ralph Fiennes — is a villainous character who contrasts sharply with the beloved Miss Honey in her demeanor and her appearance. An ex-Olympian, Miss Trunchbull has an exaggerated physique, with a larger build and masculine features (the character is usually played by a male on stage, in line with British pantomime style). Miss Honey, on the other hand, is