Actor Aaron Paul has hit back at an online petition trying to remove Breaking Bad dolls from Toys R Us
Actor Aaron Paul has hit back at an online petition trying to remove Breaking Bad dolls from Toys R Us. The 35-year-old played Jesse Pinkman on the AMC critically acclaimed series, for which he won an Emmy. As a result of the show’s popularity, figures based on the characters were made and sold at the toy retailer. However, this move was met with controversy, and a Florida mother created an online petition to have the dolls removed from the shelves.
However, Paul tweeted back defending the toys. He stated “Wait, so @ToysRUs pulled all of the Breaking Bad figures and still sell Barbie? Hmmmm…I wonder what is more damaging?” He also questioned other toys sold and the adult themes they suggested. In addition to speaking out on Twitter, Paul shared a petition to keep the figures in the stores, and it received thousands of signatures. The dolls depict the characters with cash and a bag of meth, based on the plot of the men involved in drug dealing.
Double standard or not, the Breaking Bad dolls have been pulled from shelves. A statement from the toy company read, “Let’s just say, the action figures have taken an indefinite sabbatical.” Paul also criticized this decision. However, it raises questions about what it being marketed to children, with violence and unrealistic body image being issues that have been debated. The dolls were marketed for kids ages 15 and over in the section for adult action figures. Bryan Cranston, the main star of Breaking Bad, also took to Twitter to voice his objection, though using humor.
The show was for an adult audience, but other toys with mature themes are still on the shelves. There is no further comment from Toys R Us, but it got the actors from the series riled up.
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