The issue is the film makers intention with this character was not “woke”, his role in the movie is to be a punching bag for fat jokes. Becoming a fat butterfly isn’t supposed to be inspiring or anything, you’re supposed to laugh at it. The anti-woke crowd doesn’t mind depictions of fat people when it’s part of a punchline. If the character would have “stirred controversy” now, it probably would have been for making fun of fat people, not for respectfully portraying a fat character.
I should clarify indeed, two separate things:
The issue is the film makers intention with this character was not “woke”, his role in the movie is to be a punching bag for fat jokes. Becoming a fat butterfly isn’t supposed to be inspiring or anything, you’re supposed to laugh at it. The anti-woke crowd doesn’t mind depictions of fat people when it’s part of a punchline. If the character would have “stirred controversy” now, it probably would have been for making fun of fat people, not for respectfully portraying a fat character.