The UK's Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled that the poster for Lee Cronin's The Mummy must not appear in public again in its current form. The decision followed multiple complaints regarding the poster campaign, which features a close-up of a mummified child. The ASA stated the image gave a 'realistic impression of a dead child.' The poster had been placed near a nursery in London.
Other films have faced scrutiny from regulatory bodies for imagery deemed disturbing or inappropriate. The US Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) rejected the poster for the second installment of the Saw franchise due to the depiction of severed fingers.
In the US, the MPAA also banned the poster for a documentary by Michael Winterbottom and Mat Whitecross regarding the 'Tipton Three' held at Guantanamo Bay, claiming the burlap bag over the detainee's head suggested torture.
The ASA in the UK banned the poster for a film starring British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen as Ali G, ruling it was offensive and pornographic. Additionally, the ASA banned the poster for Daniel Stamm's The Last Exorcism, stating the image of a blood-splattered woman suggested violent sexual assault.
International prohibitions
Authorities in both the US and UK banned the poster for Mitchell Lichtenstein's comedy horror film because an X-ray image of the lead character's body was deemed too disturbing.
South Korea's Media Rating Board banned the poster for Park Chan-wook's horror film based on Emile Zola's novel 'Thérèse Raquin' because the depiction of naked legs was deemed too sexually suggestive.
In France, Paris transport authorities declared that the poster for Anne Fontaine's biographical drama could not be shown in metro stations, as France bans all 'direct and indirect' tobacco advertising.
Transport For London pulled the poster for Nirpal Bhogal's first feature in the UK due to fears it would incite violence because of its depiction of a gang beating up David Cameron.
The MPAA also banned the poster for a satirical black comedy based on Bret Easton Ellis' 1987 novel. Netflix removed promotional material for Maïmouna Doucouré's French drama, stating it was 'deeply sorry for the inappropriate artwork.'
Following the September 11 terrorist attacks, Sony Pictures requested that promotional material for Spider-Man featuring the Twin Towers in New York City, US, be destroyed and replaced with other NYC buildings. Prior to the attacks, the company had unveiled teaser trailers and posters for the Sam Raimi film featuring the towers.
