Hollywood actor Henry Cavill has apologised after he said the wake of the #MeToo movement prevents him from "wooing" a woman, as he lives in fear of being labelled a "rapist".
In an interview with GQ Australia, the Superman star said "stuff has to change" regarding sexual harassment in the movie industry, but went on to complain he now struggles to approach prospective partners.
"It's very difficult to do that if there are certain rules in place," he said.
"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 said he thought it was important to "retain the good things" from the past when it comes to flirting.
"There's something wonderful about a man chasing a woman," he said.
"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."
The Mission: Impossible - Fallout actor is currently single, having split with his stuntwoman girlfriend Lucy Cork in Feburary this year.
Cavill continued that he'd rather "call an ex-girlfriend" than try to meet someone new, as it was "safer" considering his position in the public eye.
"Now? Now you really can't pursue someone further than, 'No," he continued.
"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?'"
Cavill's comments provoked criticism from online commentators, claiming the only thing he needed to do to avoid being called a rapist was to "not rape anyone".
In a statement to the Press Association, the Hollywood A-lister has since apologised for "any confusion and misunderstanding" his remarks might have caused.
"Insensitivity was absolutely not my intention," he said.
"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."
He went on to express his support for the #MeToo cause, promising to clarify his position on the subject in future.
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