A look back at Chris Evans and Jeremy Runner's controversial Black Widow jest

The Joke That Shook the Marvel Universe

Back in 2015, the cinematic realm was preparing for yet another Marvel blockbuster, The Avengers: Age of Ultron. And as always, with a huge release, came a jam-packed press tour. However, what no one expected was a casual jest from Chris Evans and Jeremy Renner to detonate a PR bomb.

Heroes Off Screen, but Not Without Flaws

In a seemingly harmless interview with Digital Spy, the duo was posed a question regarding fans' love for pairing Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow with various Marvel characters. But when confronted with a hint of a romance between Black Widow and Mark Ruffalo's Bruce Banner, the reactions were far from anticipated. Renner's label for Black Widow as "She’s a sl-t" was only fanned by Evans' support saying she was “a complete wh-re.” 

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While to them, it was a light-hearted banter, the fandom had other thoughts. The internet was ablaze with criticism, fans expressing disappointment over such derogatory slurs from their beloved Captain America and Hawkeye. Others tried to defend the duo, explaining it as a mere jest. Yet, Renner's quip on Black Widow having "a prosthetic leg anyway" only added fuel to the fire.

A Heroic Apology to Save the Day

The backlash didn’t go unnoticed, and both actors realized the gravity of their remarks. Evans, showcasing his Captain America nobility off-screen, stepped forward with a statement, "We answered in a very juvenile and offensive way that rightfully angered some fans. I regret it and sincerely apologize.” Renner, following suit, mentioned, “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.”

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While the incident left a sour taste, it also offered a reminder - our superheroes are humans after all, prone to missteps. And in the end, it was their willingness to acknowledge, apologize, and learn that kept the Marvel universe united. As time spins its web, and we find ourselves years from that turbulent interview, the episode remains a classic lesson in humility and responsibility, even for the mightiest heroes.

(Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.)