Burger King’s Russia division has filed a complaint with Russia’s Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) seeking for “It” to be banned in the country because Pennywise looks too much like Ronald McDonald.
The company claims that because of the similarity, the film serves as an advertisement for their rival fast-food company.
According to Newsweek, Russian financial publication Vedomosti obtained the complaint filed last week, which read that the “protagonist of the movie is an exact copy” of Ronald McDonald, “including the color range and the [balloons] with which the clown lures children.”
While a spokesperson for FAS has not yet responded to TheWrap’s request for comment, the company did say to multiple outlets that the complaint was received and is being evaluated. The movie would need to be examined to determine whether there was any product placement or advertisement for McDonald’s.
The film opened in Russia on Sept. 7 and has grossed $14 million in the country alone so far. Worldwide, the movie starring Bill Skarsgard has earned $478 million. According to The Hollywood Reporter, “It” is still available in more than 100 movie theaters throughout the country.
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A representative for Burger King has not yet responded to TheWrap’s request for comment. TheWrap has reached out to McDonald’s for comment.
