14 DAY TRIAL // The entire cast of “Avengers: Age of Ultron” is in full promo mode for the latest outing from the Marvel cinematic universe. A couple of days ago, Jeremy Renner and Chris Evans, aka Hawkeye and Captain America, were talking to Digital Spy about the movie, when they made one very sexist and apparently offensive joke.
Asked about Black Widow (Scarlett Johnasson) and how relationship dynamics change in this new movie (there’s budding romance between her and The Hulk), Renner laughed and said that she was the S-word. Evans chimed in, laughing that he was about to say the same.
You can see this exchange right at the beginning of the video available at the end of this post.
Fans react with outrage to sexist joke
In a context in which even Marvel bosses have admitted that their movies are strangely lacking in strong female characters that can stand on their own and aren’t just sidekicks, Renner and Evans chose to joke reinforcing old sexist stereotypes and upsetting the fans in the process.
While Tony Stark / Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) is a “player,” a womanizer and a charmer for trying to get into the pants of every woman who crosses his path, Black Widow was called names for being friendly or flirting in previous films with both Hawkeye and the Cap.
The fans were very upset, and they immediately took to social media to vent: Renner and Evans were wrong for saying these things, even if Black Widow was a fictional character.
Marvel movies are also kids’ movies, and that means that the same kids who look up to these superheroes could also tune in for these promo interviews; and they could hear Cap and Hawkeye call their teammate names.
The “joke” was in very bad form, angry voices said. Marvel must have heard them, because apologies have been released on behalf of the actors.
Evans apologizes, Renner, not so much
“Yesterday we were asked about the rumors that Black Widow wanted to be in a relationship with both Hawkeye and Captain America,” Evans says. “We answered in a very juvenile and offensive way that rightfully angered some fans. I regret it and sincerely apologize.”
Indeed, that’s a beautifully-worded and straight to the point apology. Even if they meant nothing bad by saying those things, it simply wasn’t the time or the place to say them.
Renner, on the other hand, is not as apologetic as Chris, issuing one of those sorry-not-sorry type of statements. “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.”
For the time being, the fans seem to be placated even though Renner hardly made an honest effort. Here’s the video that started it all.
