LOS ANGELES: Warner Bros. Film Group on Monday apologized for positive reactions an official “Barbie” movie social media account had to posts referencing memes linking the live-action movie of the girl’s doll with atomic bomb imagery.

The US studio said in a statement that it “regrets its recent insensitive social media engagement” and that it “offers a sincere apology,” according to US media reports.

The fan-created memes in question related to the Barbie movie and the “Oppenheimer” biographical film about Robert Oppenheimer, the US physicist known as the “father of the atomic bomb.”

The memes have come to be known as “Barbenheimer.” Both films were released on July 21 in North America.

In its reply to a meme with a background depicting what appears to be an atomic explosion that circulated on social media, the Barbie film account on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, tweeted, “It’s going to be a summer to remember” along with a heart emoji.

The tweet drew criticism in Japan although the films have not been released there.

Warner Bros. Japan LLC said in a statement Monday that the “inconsiderate” response by the US official account was “extremely regrettable” and that it has asked the US headquarters to take appropriate measures.

Japan will mark 78 years since the US atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in early August.

JIJI Press

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