'12 Years a Slave' movie poster in Italy showcases white actor Brad Pitt despite minimal role, overshadows star Chiwetel Ejiofor [PHOTO]

In one of the strangest controversies of this month in movies, a theater in Italy decided to display an updated version of a 12 Years a Slave promotional poster with Brad Pitt as the main focus. Considering the Steve McQueen film is about slavery and not the white man featured so prominently on the poster, this has incited international backlash. This is all thanks to a Tumblr user who posted a picture of the display on his account.

"I was at the movies the other day (I'm in Italy) [sic] and I saw the poster for 12 Years A Slave," the Tumblr user wrote on his account accompanying the photo. "I've been following the press for months and I can't wait to watch it but REALLY?  I don't remember Brad Pitt being the protagonist of the film or having such a pivotal role in the story to stay in the middle of the poster...I sure don't know anything about marketing strategy to appeal audiences but isn't this going to far?"

Considering Pitt had a very small role in the film, this poster has been deemed offensive and misleading. This poster was created by a marketing firm called Fanatical About Cinema, which has also produced more posters with Michael Fassbender as well. Summit Entertainment has now addressed the controversy.

"The 12 Years A Slave theatrical posters featuring Brad Pitt and Michael Fassbender that were recently released in Italy were unauthorized and were not approved by any of the producers or licensors of the film," said a Summit Entertainment spokesperson in a statement. "Summit Entertainment, acting as exclusive sales agent for the licensors, is investigating and taking immediate action to stop the distribution of any unauthorized posters and to have those posters currently in the marketplace recalled."