Clothing company Forever 21 inspired a firestorm of outraged social media reaction recently when it chose to use a white model to market a sweater based on “Black Panther,” the hit Marvel movie.

The sweater features the helmet of the character of Black Panther (played by Chadwick Boseman, shown above right) and the word “Wakanda,” which is the fictional African country from the hit film and the comics on which it’s based.

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In a since-deleted tweet, Forever 21 promoted the shirt using a white model with blonde hair.

Many saw the decision as wrongheaded.

“Black Panther” is one of the few superhero movies to feature a primarily black cast and it’s been celebrated for that.

“Wakanda Forever,” the company wrote in its tweet — along with two photos of the model wearing the sweater.

Many took to social media to express outrage.

“I long stopped buying from @Forever21 and @hmusa — these brands will continue to disrespect people of color, issue a lame apology & then once the notoriety has died down — do it again. Stop complaining & force them into Chapter 7! Stop giving them your [money],” said one user.

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Another responded, “A Wakanda Forever Fair Isle knit sweater modeled by an Eminem lookalike just makes no sense whatsoever, and it’s insulting. @Forever21 is canceled.”

Yet another wrote, “This guy looks like Joey McIntyre dressed up as peak ‘Real Slim Shady’ era Eminem and they put him in a Wakanda Forever sweater. 2018 really committed to the crazy.”

Not everyone understood the outrage.

Some people expressed confusion over the fact that protesters argue for inclusion — but then want to limit the types of people who can model certain clothing.

“Um I don’t understand, white people can’t wear a afro american superhero shirt. I guess no one can wear Hulk merchandise,” wrote one user.

Another responded, “Superheroes are for everyone.”

Forever 21 took the image down on Tuesday and released a public statement apologizing for its actions.

“Forever 21 takes feedback on our products and marketing extremely seriously,” the company said, according to The Huffington Post.

“We celebrate all superheroes with many different models of various ethnicities and apologize if the photo in question was offensive in any way.”

“Black Panther” remains one of the biggest box office hits of the year.

It earned over $700 million at the domestic box office and over $1.3 billion at the worldwide box office.

Ryan Coogler (“Creed”) wrote and directed the film; and it starred Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, and Andy Serkis, among others.

Check out the trailer for “Black Panther” below: