During the press tour for Avengers: Age of Ultron (read our spoiler free review here), Chris Evans and Jeremy Renner were asked by IGN about Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow and relationship status with Hulk in the movie. The question was asked due to the first movie hinting a relationship with Hawkeye and flirtatious teasing between her and Steve Rogers in Captain America: Civil War. Their response was… ill advised.
“She’s a slut”, Renner says flatly, causing Evans to burst into laughter and call her a “complete whore”.
“She’ll just flirt with anyone”, Evans adds.
While it is clear the two are joking, the comments are terribly judged – particularly when Avengers: Age of Ultron is under the firing line once again for not featuring Black Widow on much of its merchandise.
In a statement with EW Evans apologised for his comments saying, “yesterday we were asked about the rumours 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 apologise.”
Renner also apologised, but his felt slightly disingenuous. “I am sorry that this tasteless joke about a fictional character offended anyone,” Renner says. “It was not meant to be serious in any way. Just poking fun during an exhausting and tedious press tour.”
Marvel Studios presents Avengers: Age of Ultron, the epic follow-up to the biggest Super Hero movie of all time. When Tony Stark tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye, are put to the ultimate test as the fate of the planet hangs in the balance. As the villainous Ultron emerges, it is up to The Avengers to stop him from enacting his terrible plans, and soon uneasy alliances and unexpected action pave the way for an epic and unique global adventure.
Avengers: Age of Ultron is set for release in the UK on April 23rd and North America on May 1st, with Joss Whedon directing a cast that includes Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man), Chris Evans (Captain America), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow), Mark Ruffalo (The Incredible Hulk), Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye), Don Cheadle (War Machine), Cobie Smulders (Maria Hill), Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury), Paul Bettany (JARVIS / The Vision), Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Quicksilver), Elizabeth Olsen (Scarlet Witch), Hayley Atwell (Peggy Carter), Idris Elba (Heimdall), Anthony Mackie (Falcon), James Spader (Ultron), Stellen Skarsgard (Erik Selvig), Thomas Kretschmann (Baron Strucker), Josh Brolin (Thanos), Claudia Kim (Dr. Cho), Andy Serkis (Uylsses Klaw), Henry Goodman (Dr. List), Julie Delpy (Madame B) and Linda Cardellini (Laura Barton). Listen to the Flickering Myth Podcast review of Avengers: Age of Ultron using the player below:
Originally published April 23, 2015. Updated July 2, 2023.
