Yahoo News Henry Cavill sorry for controversial flirting comments
UPDATE: Henry Cavill has issued a statement of apology through his manager Dany Garcia following controversial comments that he made about flirting in the era of the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements.
"Having seen the reaction to an article in particular about my feelings on dating and the #metoo movement, I just wanted to apologize for any confusion and misunderstanding that this may have created," he said. "Insensitivity was absolutely not my intention.
Statement by Henry Cavill: Having seen the reaction to an article in particular about my feelings on dating and the #metoo movement, I just wanted to apologize for any confusion and misunderstanding that this may have created. Insensitivity was absolutely not my intention.
- Dany Garcia (@DanyGarciaCo) July 12, 2018
"In light of this 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."
His statement went on: "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."
ORIGINAL: Superman actor Henry Cavill has admitted that the #MeToo movement has left him unsure of how to approach women.
Speaking to GQ Australia, Cavill said that he is fortunate enough not to have worked with anyone who has behaved inappropriately, but admitted that there have been instances where he's noticed individuals being "overfamiliar" with some of the actresses.
"But I've always walked up to them and said, 'Hey, are you all right? That's creepy,'" he explained.
Asked if the movement has made him think about his own behaviour with women, Cavill said: "I like to think that I've never been like that".
But the actor then expressed his concern about how the movement has affected flirting.
He said: "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.'
"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?"
Cavill's comments have sparked outrage from social media users, who have accused him of not knowing the difference between flirting and harassing.
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
If you’re approaching women in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe, then YOU need to change your behavior, instead of whining about how some men are now facing consequences for serial harassment and assault.
- Helen Price (@HelenRPrice) July 11, 2018
Stop trying to derail the conversation by claiming #MeToo wants to “stop men ever talking to women” or some bullshit. If you don’t know the difference between politely asking someone out and sexually harassing them, you have a serious problem.
- Helen Price (@HelenRPrice) July 11, 2018
If you can't tell the difference between welcome flirting and harassment/assault, you have a big problem.
- Rachel Molnar (@Rachel_Mol) July 11, 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
My experience of relationships improved massively once I realised that I didn't want to be chased, I wanted to be respected. It's taken a lot of cultural deprogramming to get me to this point though and I still keep slipping.
- Dr Victoria Stiles (@ViolettaCrisis) July 12, 2018
Henry Cavill will be starring alongside Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible: Fallout, which hits UK cinemas on July 25.
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