Burger King Russia wants to ban It movie because the clown looks like Ronald McDonald

Burger King in Russia wants to ban the horror movie It, claiming it advertises for McDonald's.

It's complained to Russia's Federal Anti-Monopoly Service (FAS) saying the film's clown character Pennywise looks strikingly similar to Ronald McDonald.

In its complaint, Burger King lists the clown's colours and balloons used to lure children as the main similarities.

And it claims that works as advertising for their biggest fast food rival, McDonald's.

The FAS says it's already reviewing the complaint.

Since its release earlier this month, the It film has made more than $266m (£198m) worldwide.

Grossing $14m (£10m) in Russia, the film is still available in more than 100 cinemas.

In a statement given to the Hollywood Reporter, the FAS suggested it would be hard to prove any deliberate promotion of McDonald's in the film.

"We can't be concerned with the content of the film because the writer and director have their own creative understanding of any character," a FAS spokesperson told the entertainment site.

It said that the agency would have to look at whether the movie contains advertising or product placement.

While Burger King Russia is taking the claim seriously, some people on social media aren't as convinced.

"I think that the head of Burger King Russia should have played Pennywise," wrote one Russian Facebook user.

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