Henry Cavill apologizes for #MeToo comments

Henry Cavill in “Immortals”

Actor Henry Cavill issued a statement to various publications to explain his controversial opinions, shortly after getting predominantly negative reactions to his GQ Australia interview, where he stated that he’d consider avoiding women because of the #MeToo climate.

The “Justice League” star initially told GQ, “Stuff has to change, absolutely, in terms of men’s behavior, [but] it’s important to also retain the good things… there’s something wonderful about a man chasing a woman… a traditional approach… I think a woman should be wooed and chased, but maybe I’m old-fashioned for thinking that.”

It would be “very difficult” to do that if there were “certain rules in place,” Cavill told the magazine, adding, “It’s like…‘I don’t want to go up and talk to her, because I’m going to be called a rapist. 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 flirt with someone, then who knows what’s going to happen?”

In the new statement, Cavill said: “Having seen the reaction to an article in particular about my feelings on dating and the #MeToo movement, I just want to apologize for any confusion… 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.”

But this part of the “Man of Steel” actor’s message baffled some commenters, who thought it didn’t quite fit with the apology: “This experience has taught me a valuable lesson as to the context and nuance of editorial liberties. I look forward to clarifying my position in the future toward a subject that is so vitally important and in which I wholeheartedly support.”—OLIVER PULUMBARIT