Cineplex Orders Removal of Viral 'Spooderman' Poster Drawn by Employee

A hand-drawn movie poster created by a cinema employee in British Columbia became a global viral sensation before corporate management ordered its removal. The artwork, a satirical take on the latest Spider-Man film, highlighted a logistical failure in the movie's promotional rollout.

Drake Landon, an employee at a Famous Players (Cineplex) theater in Prince George, British Columbia, created the piece after the distributor accidentally sent official promotional materials to the wrong location. To fill the void, Landon drew a poster in the style of the "Spooderman" internet meme. The artwork featured a misspelled apology note that read: "Sorry! We never recieved the real posters! Sorry for any inconviniences!"

A Grassroots Hit

The poster quickly gained traction online, earning widespread praise from fans for its humor and creativity. Even Cineplex leadership initially acknowledged the gesture; Michelle Saba, VP of Communications for Cineplex, noted that the theater team "did have a little fun" while waiting for the official materials to arrive.

Despite the positive public relations and internal amusement, the momentum was short-lived. Cineplex's head office eventually intervened, ordering the poster to be removed from the theater. Landon, who has since identified himself publicly via Reddit, expressed understanding regarding the decision. "I have the poster back, sadly due to my boss telling me that head office called and asked for it to be taken down, for reasons that make sense now I realize," Landon said, adding that he did not want to upset the studio.

Corporate Control vs. Fan Creativity

The incident underscores the tension between organic, fan-driven creativity and the strict brand control maintained by major studios. While the "Spooderman" poster provided a moment of authentic engagement for the theater, the swift removal reflects the high stakes of intellectual property management for a franchise of this scale.

This corporate caution comes at a time of unprecedented commercial success for the film. Spider-Man: Brand New Day has shattered the domestic opening weekend record previously held by Avengers: Endgame, which stood at $360 million. The film is currently trending toward a $2 billion global haul, making the protection of its official image a priority for the studio and its partners.

What's Next

While the poster is no longer on display at the cinema, Landon is looking to capitalize on the sudden visibility. He has announced plans to sell limited prints of the artwork to fans. As the film continues its record-breaking run, the industry will continue to watch how studios balance the benefits of viral, grassroots marketing against the need for absolute control over their visual assets.