Henry Cavill has apologised for his comments about flirting post #MeToo
Henry Cavill, aka Superman, has come under fire for his misguided comments in a new interview with GQ Australia. After being asked to share his thoughts on the #MeToo movement, Cavill explained he is now hesitant to talk to women because he thinks he'll be "called a rapist or something."
The interview, which was published on July 10, sees Cavill explain what he's learned from the #MeToo movement. While he admits "stuff has to change, absolutely", he goes on to say it's "important to also retain the good things, which were a quality of the past".
He's talking about good ol' fashioned wooing, BTW.
Here's the part in the interview where he explains how #MeToo has impacted his ability to approach women.
"There’s something wonderful about a man chasing a woman. There’s a traditional approach to that, which is nice. I think a woman should be wooed and chased, but maybe I’m old-fashioned for thinking that.
“It’s very difficult to do that if there are certain rules in place. Because then it’s like: ‘Well, I don’t want to go up and talk to her, because I’m going to be called a rapist or something’. So you’re like, ‘Forget it, I’m going to call an ex-girlfriend instead, and then just go back to a relationship, which never really worked’.
But it’s way safer than casting myself into the fires of hell, because I’m someone in the public eye, and if I go and flirt with someone, then who knows what’s going to happen?
Of course, this has caused people to call him out on his apparent 'men are also victims of #MeToo because now we can't flirt' narrative. And others have been quick to point out that he may need a little refresher in the basics of consent (which are really not that hard to understand).
This is absurd. If Henry Cavill doesn’t want to be called a rapist then all he has to do is... not rape anyone.
The mental gymnastics some men are doing to position themselves as “victims” of #MeToo is insane. pic.twitter.com/nafnZiaXGH- Helen Price (@HelenRPrice) July 11, 2018
Good. Henry Cavill *SHOULDN'T* date until he figures out how to do it without "accidentally" raping someone. pic.twitter.com/RywLedYkpS
- Donna Dickens (@MildlyAmused) July 11, 2018
Urm, conversations with Henry Cavill seem intense: ‘Well, I don’t want to go up and talk to her, because I’m going to be called a rapist or something’ #WTFsuperman https://t.co/vvwP1QIgk3
- Jonathan Blades (@JonathanRBlades) July 12, 2018
Today it’s Henry Cavill with “I believe women should be chased”
When did the notion that being chased is a *pleasant* feeling become so universally accepted? pic.twitter.com/z6kQnCzVrF- Grace Petrie 100% Official Tweets (@gracepetrie) July 12, 2018
Can someone sit Henry Cavill down and have a real-ass chat with him about consent. https://t.co/6hxvsc92VX
- Trash Addict (@trash_addict) July 12, 2018
#HenryCavill is afraid to flirt bc of #Metoo movement? Hold up ✋🏻#aintnobodygottimeforthat & sorry but bullshit. Don't feel sorry for you at all. Millions of women across the world suffer from all types of abuse every day. Check your priorities. Check urself b4 you wreck urself
- Narnia (@fluegerfan1) July 12, 2018
He has since issued an apology.
"Having seen the reaction to an article in particular about my feelings on dating and the #MeToo movement, I just wanted to apologise for any confusion and misunderstanding that this may have created. Insensitivity was absolutely not my intention.
"I would just like to clarify and confirm to all that I have always and will continue to hold women in the highest of regard, no matter the type of relationship, whether it be friendship, professional, or a significant other. Never would I intend to disrespect in any way, shape or form. This experience has taught me a valuable lesson as to the context and the nuance of editorial liberties.... I look forward to clarifying my position in the future towards a subject that it so vitally important and in which I wholeheartedly support."
And, yet again, Twitter has feelings.
Dear men, If you are going to make a statement about sexism, feminism and/or the #metoo movement you might want to just run it past any female in your life before posting it. It might stop these half ass attempts at an apology in the future. #HenryCavill
- Proud Snowflake (@Iwillnotmelt) July 13, 2018
Kind of a weird apology from Henry Cavill, mentioning “nuances of editorial liberties” and “looking forward to clarifying” his position on #MeToo. How about just tell us what you said and what you meant, if it wasn’t what was reported?
- Jᴏɴᴏ Pᴇᴄʜ (@JonoHimself) July 13, 2018
#HenryCavill you’re apology reads of #mansplaining. We didn’t misunderstand anything, you’re an asshole. #NotMySuperman #RecastSuperman https://t.co/Z1kwRDTiga
- Jesse Jones (@JesseOfOz) July 12, 2018
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