'We were juvenile and offensive': Jeremy Renner and Chris Evans apologise after calling Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow a 'sl**' and 'wh**e'
Jeremy Renner and Chris Evans have apologised for being 'juvenile and offensive' after receiving backlash from Avengers fans for calling Scarlett Johnasson's character a 'sl**' and a 'wh**e'.
The actors - who play Hawkeye and Captain America respectively - were asked by Digital Spy about their thoughts on Black Widow being with Mark Ruffalo's Bruce Banner, after many believed she would have a romance with one of the characters they play.
'She's a sl**,' Jeremy said, deadpan, and the two stars immediately burst out laughing.
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Sorry: Jeremy Renner and Chris Evans apologised for calling Scarlett Johansson's Avengers character a 'sl**' and a 'wh**e' during an interview with Digital Spy
Chris added: 'I was going to say something along that line. She's a complete wh**e.'
Jeremy got into more hot water for adding, 'She's got a prosthetic leg anyway,' and Chris concluded: 'She's leading everybody on.'
The pair quickly apologised. Chris said in a statement to MailOnline: '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.'
WARNING: VIDEO CONTAINS STRONG LANGUAGE
Backlash: The actors were criticised for the words they used to describe Black Widow, seen in a scene from the new movie Avengers: Age Of Ultron
Jeremy said in his own statement: '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.'
The pair, who were promoting the latest Avengers movie Age Of Ultron ahead of its May 1 release, had been the subject of furious posts on Twitter for using the derogatory terms.
While some dismissed the comments as just a joke and pointed out that Black Widow is not real, others branded Jeremy and Chris 'sexist' and 'misogynists'.
Twitter user @caldeonia wrote: 'I didn't spend 8 hours of my life yesterday watching a marvel marathon for chris evans and jeremy renner to be problematic misogynists.'
User @Artist_Ali echoed the same sentiments. 'Look, all I want Jeremy Renner & Chris Evans to do is apologize. You said something gross & sexist. Say yer sorry. I'm not asking4 the moon.'
In hysterics: Chris burst out laughing when Jeremy called Black Widow a 'sl*t', before adding that he thinks she is a 'complete wh*re'
'She's leading everybody on': The pair were asked about what they thought of a Black Widow and Bruce Banner romance after it was believed she might get together with one of the characters they play
Also on Twitter, @kristinamonllos said the actors were contributing to a bigger problem. 'Hopefully this whole Chris Evans/Jeremy Renner debacle teaches Avengers fans that sl**-shaming someone--even a character--is not okay.'
But many jumped to the stars' defense and suggested that those offended by the remarks were overreacting.
'Chris Evans and Jeremy Renner made a joke. This is about context, people. Move on,' @Ethan_Anderton tweeted.
'All the people calling for Chris Evans and Jeremy Renner to apologize to Black Widow. You do know she's not real right? Right?' @mousie77539 agreed.
Scarlett told MailOnline earlier this week that gender politics didn't play a part in her decision to take on the role of Black Widow, aka Natasha Romanova.
Sexist or just a joke?: Some fans have tweeted their disappointment at the stars' comments, while others came to their defense
Promotional tour: Jeremy and Chris were drumming up publicity for Avengers: Age Of Ultron ahead of its May 1 release, and Jeremy said in his apology that it had been 'exhausting' and 'tedious'
'I'm looking for [scripts] as an actor looking for material that's substantial, not a female actor looking for substantial work,' she said at a London press conference.
'What's great about playing this character is that she's based in something deep and something that I can hold onto.
'She's grounded and very real; she has experienced a lot of trauma and never been able to make active choices for herself and now she finally is, and she's ready for it but unfortunately, it's bad timing.'
Scarlett portrays one of the most prominent female characters in the male-dominated Marvel Universe, and is joined in the latest film by newcomer Elizabeth Olsen, who plays Scarlet Witch.
Marvel Studios will see its first female-led superhero movie with the upcoming Carol Danvers (aka Captain Marvel) film, which was announced last year.
'I'm looking at scripts as an actor, not a female actor': Scarlett, pictured at the London premiere of the film on Tuesday, recently told MailOnline that gender politics didn't come into play when she decided to take on the role
Assemble: (L-R) Jeremy, Scarlett, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans and Robert Downey, Jr. are seen having fun together at the premiere
Strut into summer style with a statement jumpsuit like Scarlett
Is Scarlett Johansson your red carpet superhero? The A-list actress is never afraid to take the odd fashion risk or two, most of the time we think it pays off, sometimes admittedly not quite so.
This delicately pleated printed jumpsuit from the Balmain fall 2015 collection, whilst unquestionably striking on the statuesque runway model, does have the potential to swamp Scarlett's petite frame. But with that pixie cut and bright red lip, Scarlett carries off the bold look aplomb.
A jumpsuit is always an instant way to achieve maximum style, with minimal effort, so why not work the look by shopping our edit below?
This Missguided number is a must have for cocktail sipping under the summer sky, while this Band Of Outsiders style will be a festival season go-to. Isn't it time you jumped on the all-in-one trend?
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