Avengers Chris Evans, Jeremy Renner Under Fire For ‘Sexist’ Comments About Black Widow
Chris Evans (Captain America) and Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye) are currently Avengers under fire for comments made in regard to fellow Avenger Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow character.
The stars of the movie Avengers: Age of Ultron are currently on a press tour, promoting the movie, according to Metro. While being interviewed by Digital Spy UK, both Evans and Renner were asked if there may be a potential romantic relationship between her and Captain America or her and Hawkeye.
The actual question asked was; “I have a very serious question about shipping. I know a lot of fans were pretty invested in the idea of Natasha with either or both of you guys and now she’s with Bruce (Banner, aka the Hulk). What do you guys think about that?”
At this point, both Avengers under fire laughed, and Renner replied, “She’s a slut.”
Evans laughed louder, then added, “She’s a complete whore.”
Renner then slipped in a comment about Black Widow having a prosthetic leg, making it sound derogatory.
This isn’t the first instance of the Avengers under fire concerning this film. A scene that was cut out of the film involves Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man. In the film, Iron Man attempts to take control of Asgard, announcing that “I will be reinstituting Prima Nocta.”
Prima Nocta is an old, fabled rule of law by which a Lord or leader of a land can rape the wife of any man on their wedding night.
Time is reporting that fans are reacting mostly towards the Avengers under fire negatively to the percieved slut-shaming. One fan tweeted, “I feel like the Jeremy Renner Chris Evans thing is like a cast in joke they shouldn’t have said in public.”
Another fan tweeted, “The Chris Evans/Jeremy Renner joke about Natasha being a whore and just a flirty sidekick made me cringe. Gross.” Yet another fan expressed her displeasure with the duo’s comments. “2 men calling a woman a slut and whore is sexist. Jeremy Renner and Chris Evans made a sexist joke. Intent does not erase impact!”
Still, there are those who are defending the current Avengers under fire. One fan tweeted, “So apparently Jeremy Renner and Chris Evans are problematic misogynists because tumblr doesn’t know what sarcasm is.” Another put it bluntly; “So Chris Evans is problematic because he was being sarcastic and joking about a fictional character? Get a grip, pls.”
Both Avengers under fire have apologized for their comments. Evans, through a statement, wrote, “Yesterday we were asked about the rumors that Black Widow wanted to be in a relationship with both Hawkeye and Captain America. We answered in a very juvenile and offensive way that rightfully angered some fans. I regret it and sincerely apologize.”
Renner offered an apology, as well, but his sincerity may be somewhat lacking. “I am sorry that this tasteless joke about a fictional character offended anyone. It was not meant to be serious in any way. Just poking fun during an exhausting and tedious press tour.”
It’s a good thing both Avengers under fire apologized. Black Widow could kick both their butts.
[Image courtesy of People.]
