A poster for an upcoming WWII movie by the internationally recognized Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov is monumental, tense and grim, as are many Russian movies about one of the most tragic events of modern history. It also became funny, descriptive and nearly offensive after numerous manipulations by many bloggers eager to express their creativity online and mock the director who, according to a lot of online comments, is blinded by his own arrogance.

The poster in question advertised Mikhalkov's upcoming movie, Burnt by the Sun 2, where the director depicts the monumental struggle and suffering of the people of Soviet Union during WWII. The movie was conceived as a sequel to the Oscar-winning Burnt by the Sun, released in 1994, which brought international fame to Mikhalkov. The Burnt by the Sun 2 poster depicts the director, who also plays a leading role in the movie, as a Soviet soldier in the middle of battle. The poster reads: "Great Cinema about the Great War. Burnt by the Sun 2. A film by Nikita Mikhalkov. Coming Soon."

The creative process started on one of the most popular blogs of RuNet. Artemy Lebedev (LJ user tema), a controversial blogger and art designer, uploaded the poster on his blog and encouraged his numerous readers to express their limitless creativity by changing the original work of art into something new. The results flooded Lebedev's blog within a matter of hours. One can certainly appreciate the passion with which Russian bloggers approached the task. They renamed the movie into "Nikita," drew Mikhalkov as Terminator, depicted him as Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili, transformed him into Robocop, made fun of his previous role as a Russian gangster, added flashy glasses and artsy skulls, whitened and enlarged his teeth.

Internet users seemed to enjoy mocking the director, who allegedly has a big ego. LJ user autoglaz wrote: "To call an upcoming move that no one has seen yet "great cinema" is not just hubris, but – I cannot even find a word for it."

Purportedly, Mikhalkov did not appreciate the creative side of internet users and has threatened to sue the bloggers who mocked the new movie. This rumor did not increase the popularity of Mikhalkov among bloggers.

LJ user artemdragunov, for example, jokingly replied to the threat on his blog in the style of Soviet art reviews accusing authors, directors and artists of plotting against Communism: "I, Artem Dragunov, citizen of Russia and Germany who lives in Stuttgart, declare that if Nikita Sergeevich Mikhalkov sues bloggers for the Photoshop contest involving the poster for his upcoming movie, I will sue Mikhalkov for offending the memory of the veterans of the war against fascism. His poster depicts a fat-faced man with an expensive golden ring on his finger, which is apparently designed to represent a valiant soldier of Soviet Red Army in the first year of the war. But the most upsetting thing is that the Soviet soldier holds the fascist MP38-40 [gun] (expert testimony will be delivered to the court).That is why it is unclear if the poster depicts a Soviet soldier or the traitor of the motherland [...] Since Mr. Mikhalkov is known to the world as a supporter of the monarchy and the White Movement (military anti-Bolshevik forces in Russia – V.I.), I have no doubt that under the veil of a Soviet soldier the poster for Burnt by the Sun 2 depicts a traitor and enemy of the Soviet country and of Communism."

Another blogger, leonsija, defended Mikhalkov and accused tema of "playing with the sacred": "I am not a fierce supporter of Nikita Sergeyevich and I often despise his behavior, but I wish him victory in this case. It is time to punish someone who seeks reasons to mock the topics that no one should touch with dirty hands under any circumstances. There is constructive criticism, the evaluation of the artistic qualities of movies, and then there's meanness and playing with the sacred. There is little that is funny, satirical or entertaining here. Mockery of the topic of war is out of place, especially before the the anniversary of the Victory."

But the controversy around the mockery led some to believe that all this is nothing more than just a promotion of the movie. Blogger burmatoff noted: "Nikita Sergeyevich is creating a buzz. Everyone relax and enjoy. Tickets are available at the box office."