Henry Cavill apologises for #MeToo comments following online backlash

Henry Cavill has apologised after saying that “chasing a woman” after they say “no” leads to men being called rapists.

The Man of Steel actor issued a statement apologising “for any confusion and misunderstanding” the comments may have caused and saying that he never intended “to disrespect” women.

During a recent interview, Cavill was asked to comment on the #MeToo movement that has rocked Hollywood, along with many other industries.

The 35-year-old began by saying things certainly need to change, but expressed concern that flirting has become “delicate” and we must “retain the good things” from the past.

“There’s something wonderful about a man chasing a woman,” he told GQ Australia. ”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’.”

Cavill joked that he is better off going back into a relationship with an ex-girlfriend than casting himself ”into the fires of hell” by flirting with someone new.

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’.

The actor continued: “Now? Now you really can’t pursue someone further than, ‘No’. It’s like, ‘OK, cool’. But then there’s the, ‘Oh why’d you give up?’ And it’s like, ‘Well, because I didn’t want to go to jail?’”

Apologising for the comments, Cavill clarified that ”insensitivity was absolutely not my intention.” He continued: ”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.

The statement concludes: “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 is so vitally important and which I wholeheartedly support.”