Deadpool Accused of Religious Discrimination, Petition is Demanding Poster Removal

20th Century Fox

Once Upon a Deadpool will be released in theaters for a limited holiday run this week but the titular mercenary has come under fire from the Church of Latter Day Saints for its controversial poster. One of the recent posters became such a huge issue within the Mormon communities that an online petition demanding the removal of the image from circulation has reached more than 38,000 signatures.

The poster features Deadpool in a white robe, spreading his arms wide, with the supporting characters dressed like angels behind him. The petition accuses the image of making a "mockery" of a painting called The Second Coming by Harry Anderson, which is prominently shown in the Church of LDS. Here's the poster.

"Deadpool recently posted a new poster for the Once Upon a Deadpool that resembles the sacred picture of 'The Second Coming,'" the petition reads. "In the original painting Jesus Christ is at the center surrounded by angels. In the poster Deadpool replaces Jesus Christ. Deadpool is positioned exactly as Jesus Christ was and is wearing a white robe. It is unknown if the picture was used to intentionally mock the Church of Jesus Christ, but it is clear it was copied from the original picture. This is a form a religious discrimination. We ask that the picture be not used or posted in any manner. That they find another poster to represent their movie."

The painting depicts the Second Coming of Christ so it makes sense for the Deadpool team to choose this design as the release of Once Upon A Deadpool marks the return of Deadpool 2 in theaters. Just in case you haven't heard, Once Upon A Deadpool is the PG-13 cut of the Deadpool sequel with twenty minutes of additional footage.

Synopsis:

Wisecracking mercenary Deadpool meets Russell, an angry teenage mutant who lives at an orphanage. When Russell becomes the target of Cable -- a genetically enhanced soldier from the future -- Deadpool realizes that he'll need some help saving the boy from such a superior enemy. He soon joins forces with Bedlam, Shatterstar, Domino and other powerful mutants to protect young Russell from Cable and his advanced weaponry.

Once Upon A Deadpool is now showing in theaters.

Related: Once Upon A Deadpool's Stan Lee Cameo Will Break Your Heart