Paramount Australia is facing harsh criticism Tuesday after sharing a “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” poster that invoked memories of 9/11.
“Check out the official poster for #TMNT in cinemas September 11,” read the Twitter and Facebook message, which included an image of the cartoon turtles jumping from an exploding skyscraper.
See video: Kids Aren’t Impressed By ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ Trailer, But Kinda Dig Old Cartoon
True to form, social media quickly responded with outrage, pointing out similarities between the image and message combination alongside the real life horrors that occurred on September 11, 2001.
The offending tweet and Facebook messages were soon deleted without comment.
Here are some of the reactions:
How does this make it past marketing? Ninja turtles poster invokes 9/11 attack: http://t.co/UXLHwq7GUr
— Jessica Durando (@JessicaDurando) July 29, 2014
How did this #TMNT poster get approved? There were so many chances to say NO. Poster invokes 9/11 http://t.co/HsfDpB16Rt
— KorinaLopez (@KorinaLopez) July 29, 2014
I get that 9/11 was a horrible event, but I don’t really find this that bad? People are just looking for it. http://t.co/JsRRgI4FLi
— Tyler (@Skulburn) July 29, 2014
Paramount Australia’s Facebook and Twitter accounts have yet to offer up an explanation for the initial message or it’s subsequent removal. Paramount Pictures has not yet returned TheWrap’s request for comment.
Also read: Paramount Nearing Deal to Distribute Martin Scorsese’s Religious Drama ‘Silence’
The Michael Bay-produced “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” starring Megan Fox and Johnny Knoxville, hits U.S. theaters Aug. 8.
UPDATE: (3:30 p.m. PT) “We are deeply sorry to have used that artwork for the marketing materials promoting the September 11 opening in Australia. Combining that image and date was a mistake. We intended no offense and have taken immediate action to discontinue its use,” said Paramount Australia in a statement to TheWrap.