Russia's Burger King wants "IT" out of the country. Not because the movie is too scary or anything. No, they -- somehow -- think Pennywise "is an exact copy" of Ronald McDonald, with the horror film giving McDonald's free publicity.
According to Newsweek, Burger King's Russian operation filed a Whopper of a complaint to the anti-monopoly business board, alleging unfair competition. Their claim argues the "protagonist" of the R-rated movie, Pennywise, "is an exact copy" of the famous McDonald's clown, "including the color range and the [balloons] with which the clown lures children."
I mean...
I guess?
But even if you do think Pennywise looks like the also creepy Ronald McDonald, how would that be free advertising for McDonald's? It's more likely to scare people away from The Golden Arches. You could see it as a free ad for the competition.
The complaint was filed last week, wanting the film axed for breaking Russia's advertising laws. A ban is a bit late, since "IT" has been playing in Russia since the first week of September, and even topped the box office there opening weekend. But now, Newsweek reports, Russia's Federal Antimonopoly Service board will examine "IT" to see if there was any product placement or advertising that would be in violation of national law.
Warner Bros. just revealed an "IT" sequel is coming in 2019, so if there's no ban in Russia now, maybe Burger King be able to flush "Chapter Two" down the sewer.
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