Henry Cavill apologises after his #MeToo comments

"Justice League" star has apologised for his comments about the #MeToo movement.

The 35-year-old actor, who is currently awaiting the release of "Mission: Impossible – Fallout", told GQ Australia in an interview that the #MeToo movement has made him afraid to flirt with women.

Cavill said the behaviour of men "has to change" but argued that it is important to also "retain the good things, which were a quality of the past, and get rid of the bad things".

"There's something wonderful about a man chasing a woman. 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."

"It's very difficult to do that if there are certain rules in place. 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 had said.

The actor's comments spurred severe backlash online with many men and women taking offence. The backlash prompted him to issue an apology.

"Having seen the reaction to an article in particular about my feelings on dating and the #MeToo movement, I just wanted to apologize for any confusion and misunderstanding that this may have created," Cavill told Page Six in a statement.

"Insensitivity was absolutely not my intention. 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, whether it be friendship, professional, or a significant other," he added.

The actor said the experience has taught him a "valuable lesson as to the context and the nuance of editorial liberties".

"I look forward to clarifying my position in the future towards a subject that is so vitally important and in which I wholeheartedly support," he added.