Petition demands Matt Damon be cut from Ocean's 8 Published By Tribute on Dec 22, 2017

Matt Damon is not out of the woods yet after making comments about the Harvey Weinstein sexual assault scandal that rubbed many the wrong way.

You might recall that Damon told Business Insider people shouldn't pay as much attention to Weinstein, but instead focus on what he called "the preponderance of men I’ve worked with -- who don’t do this kind of thing and whose lives aren’t going to be affected."

Many were angered at his comment and now the anger continues after further comments he made in an interview with ABC News last week in which he stated he thought it was "wonderful that women are feeling empowered to tell their stories and it’s totally necessary," but went on to say, “There’s a difference between patting someone on the butt and rape or child molestation, right?"

This idea that there's a sort of sliding scale to inappropriate behavior has upset many who think that inappropriate behavior is exactly that -- inappropriate -- without any variance of degree. Actresses, including Alyssa Milano and Minnie Driver, called out Damon for his comment, with Milano comparing men's predatory behavior on women to cancer: "There are different stages of cancer. Some more treatable than others. But it’s still cancer..."

Minnie Driver, who dated Damon in 1997, also weighed in, tweeting in response to Damon's comments: "Gosh it’s so *interesting how men with all these opinions about women’s differentiation between sexual misconduct, assault and rape reveal themselves to be utterly tone deaf and as a result, systemically part of the problem( *profoundly unsurprising)"

Now, fans are following suit, starting a petition to have Damon's cameo cut from the all-female Ocean's 8 spin-off, which stars actresses such as Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett and Anne Hathaway. The petition partly reads, "This behavior is beyond enabling -- it’s just gross. Matt Damon should not be in this movie..." Damon reprises his role as Linus Caldwell from previous Ocean's movies in the film, but over 19,000 fans who signed the petition don't think he should. The petition also calls on producers George Clooney and Steven Soderbergh to remove Damon's role.

Ocean's 8 opens in theaters June 8th, 2018.

Do you agree that Matt Damon should be removed from the film? Let us know your opinion in the comments section below. ~Alexa Caruso
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Comments & Discussion

Ted - 12/22/2017 1:54:11 PM

I disagree with the idea of removing him from a film. He isn't a sexual predator or insensitive to women as far as I know. He's just not jumping on the bandwagon to sacrifice all men who have made insensitive mistakes. Yes there is a difference between a patt and a rape. Neither is excusable but both shouldn't be punished with the same fervor.
Brie Larson - 12/22/2017 2:29:11 PM

He said nothing wrong. He is totally correct. The media has infiltrated the hearts and minds of everyone they reach; and Milanoâ€™s cancer analogy is the kind of false equivalency BS that Damon wants to see eradicated. There are more good men out there than there are bad men. Heâ€™s saying itâ€™s better to focus on the positives rather than create an environment wrought with hate and repudiation. Thank you for saying what need to be said, Mr. Damon; and Iâ€™m sorry that you have to take the burn for everyone in this case... your Hollywood friends should be standing beside you, but wonâ€™t, for fear of being lambasted for speaking truths, much like you were. Sycophants and wave riders EVERYwhere, right now, and itâ€™s putrid.
Larry - 12/22/2017 3:25:57 PM

I see no reason or justification to over react to these comments! Maybe just to gain personal attention in the controversy?? I agree totally with Ted. It almost sounds like some people can not exist without some level of drama in their lives. There ARE different levels of improper, sexual aggression by both men, and women.
Margot - 12/22/2017 4:20:22 PM

Matt Damon should not be removed from his role in Ocean's 8. He has been honorable to women during his career. The media tends to overblow too much these days. He has done nothing wrong in my opinion. He's quite supportive of women.
Valerie Franklin - 12/22/2017 4:27:10 PM

As a woman who was sexually molested as a pre-teen and then raped as a young woman I have zero tolerance for sexual abuse. However, I do not support he petition to remove Matt Damon's cameo. There is a difference between inappropriate flirtation and sexual predators. If we don't make that distinction there are a hell of a lot of women who are going to find themselves accused of being gross, sexually inappropriate, etc., for rating a guy's ass and speculating about his gentiles and believe I have heard enough women making disgusting remarks to safely say it is not an isolated thing. Matt Damon made some very valid points and the fact that people who have probably never been a victim wanted to crucify him over those remarks is wrong.
Ron - 12/22/2017 4:43:01 PM

If Matt Damon were guilty of and sexual misconduct we would know about it by now. He is one of most liked and respected guys in Hollywood Get a grip and don't put him in the same group as an ass like Weinstein. If people are even considering that a patt on the behind is something that should cost someone there livelihood they have to seriously get over themselves. I'm pretty sure it happens to guys once in a while too, but guys would get laughed at for even considering Being in the victim role. Guys who rape should go to jail minimum 5 years because they are ruining peoples lives. But lets be realistic as to what they are even doing to Matt Damon. He had the courage to say be realistic about what needs to be reprimanded and they do this. I have less respect for these 2 women now.
Romi Gonzalez - 12/22/2017 8:28:52 PM

This is getting out of control. It is hurting good people who may have done or said something which, if true, is only borderline wrong. This turmoil is taking the focus away from real Wrongdoing, like Trump's.
Hedley pepper - 12/22/2017 9:03:29 PM

Damon is minimizing actions and attitudes propagating inequality between sexes. That very attitude he is voicing is dead wrong. That Pat on the ass is all about dominance. Allowing it is the first step toward allowing rape
Tharsos2099 - 12/22/2017 10:45:19 PM

Matt Damon in one of the few actors out there is intel event enough to see both sides of the coin and make proper judgement and commentaries, just because he hasnâ€™t jumped on the bandwagon on every man is a rapist, doesnâ€™t mean he is a bad person. Heâ€™s actually, more than likely a better person, cause he can look at the whole issue with logic instead of with fear of what others will think of him
Rhonda Jackson - 12/22/2017 11:38:45 PM

All men? Especially those in power...lbut it should be..All predators...male/female/unspecified gender...need to be held accountable. We are losing sight of the VICTIMS and focusing on everthing and every one else. This is what power buys...headlines and accusations to take away from the original issue
Debra Sue - 12/23/2017 5:16:13 AM

Being in the limelight comes with responsibility. What we say, what we do become topics for controversy. Our youth look toactors as "hero" figures of our times. Matt Damon is among these figures. He is human. He is a man. Perhaps a pat on his buttock is okay for him, but would it be for his daughter or son by the clergy or teachers or family member? When we step into the spotlight we acknowledge we have a responsibility beyond what is good for ourselves, alone. Although, Matt spoke his thought at the time, perhaps without considering the ramifications of his actions at the time upon the women violated, the youth, and his fans plus the influence the media has on the world at large, perhaps he spoke without all these considerations. If he spoke having considered all of the above, then I think he needs to ratchet down. Too many violations upon women have occurred for too long. We don't need the slightest bit of support for anything inappropriate. What does it tell our children is ok?
MySay - 12/23/2017 8:46:01 AM

What's with the 'it could have been worse' so it's not so bad attitude? It's shameful to minimize the impact assault and harassment have on people by comparing it to even worse scenarios. How convenient to mindlessly dismiss the implication that many women may have already been subject to worse at some point in their lives so this act or that really is as simple as it sounds. Those 'not so bad' unwanted remarks or touching may cause heavy emotional effects of past trauma and dread of future trauma. My sister and I were exposed to two different child molesters before we were 5 years old. One was an extended family member, the other the husband of a baby sitter. Men need to be fully accountable for their actions, period. Minimizing your actions against a woman (or anyone)by comparing it to the actions of another is simply enabling and excusing you own shameless behavior making you a predator. I guess we cant be too surprised by Damon's comments. His best friend is Ben Affleck and he's been in some recent hot water himself. I say can him from the role, only thing some men really understand is when their wallet and reputation are hurt. This will sent a respectable message.
Brie Larson - 12/23/2017 11:14:52 AM

Baaaahahahhahah @MySay: You sound like one of the people who will never be happy in life. Everything will be meticulously weighed and scrutinized; and of course, you will take ZERO action against these perceived injustices, but instead get into semantics and grandstanding/soapboxing about how fucked up the world has become. The world has always been comprised of both light and darkness - but people like you will bring everyone down with you - you are energy vampires and youâ€™re only content when others experience misery. EFF the socialist agenda and the attempt to censor thoughts by policing peopleâ€™s language. I hope I never meet you in real life - I would probably be mentally exhausted after a 2 minute convo with you. Good riddance.
Jessica Turner - 12/23/2017 11:40:33 AM

You need a proofreader. See paragraph 3, line 3.
Roberta - 12/23/2017 11:49:37 AM

Whatever happened to freedom of speech? This is getting out of control. Besides, I agree with him. Rape and assault is much more traumatizing than a pat on the butt.
Ivy weir - 12/23/2017 11:58:48 AM

This is getting stupid can no one have an opinion any more. Soon women will just not be hired for any job because bosses men or women who be afraid that if they say anything they will bee acused of harassment. This whole me to thing is not helping women it's going to hinder them getting jobs I would not hire a women for anything now and I'm female
Lisa Layland - 12/23/2017 12:04:03 PM

A pat on the butt is different than rape but when an employer makes inappropriate advances on an employee many victims of just a "pat" are left feeling extremely victimized. These women know who the predators are once they're in this awful situation but have little to no recourse. I think and hope Damon's comments have been taken out of context. Degree is important to acknowledge but he perhaps needs to sound off on how he feels about rape. His personal opinions should not demonize his ability to work. That's almost as bad as having a predator on a movie set. We can't and shouldn't take a few words and tank a job or potentially a career. Isn't freedom of speech important even if we don't always agree. I'm happy women are coming forward.
jack - 12/23/2017 1:56:17 PM

Ladies and gentlemen (or can I say that anymore?) "let them eat cake"
Marguerite Crawford - 12/23/2017 4:42:13 PM

Patting someone's butt without prior consent, regardless of he sex of persons involved is rude, unacceptable behavior and should be admonished immediately. Rape and child molestation are crimes. There is a vast difference. Mr. Damon was correct, and regardless of anyone else's opinion, he has the right to speak his own opinion in this country without fear of it affecting his livelihood or right to pursue employment in his chosen career. Just because he is seen as a public person, he is permitted to have private opinions. At least that is what our laws actually mean. The court of public opinion has never been known to rise to our higher ideals.
Edward - 12/23/2017 6:10:13 PM

Whatever happened to freedom of speech. Damon, says molesting is wrong, and I absolutely agree. The situation is getting out of hand ,when you want to express an opinion that is not totally in agreement with your position.
Matt Damon - 12/23/2017 6:45:35 PM

Matt Damon's right, someone has to nip this in the bud before it gets out of hand - or is it too late? Of course we should root out all perverts (etc) followed by industry blackballing and prosecution wherever necessary. But should people - or worse, celebrities - have the power to condemn/ostracize others based on their: - inappropriate ACTIONS? sure why not. - inappropriate WORDS? never in a million years. If we do, the Thought Police will be knocking at our door in a few short years. In fact it may already be too late. The socialist propaganda machine is already here. Brought into Canada through the front door by a good-looking brainwashed guy with a left lisp.
ly - 12/24/2017 3:02:45 AM

Listen Gals & Guys - Just as some of U gals don't see a pat on your rump as Disrespect, it. IS. b'cuz U don't Know respect thus NO respect for Yourself. Learn true respect and you may one day know a real man. Guys w/this same mentality lacks Respect and gals choosing to Allow This Misbehavior you will Only Know Your Same kind. .DISrespect. DARE You to Change Your mindset, Your Respectfulness . .and then see where you come around from Challenge. We All Need To Look @ OurSelves & All Others And KNOW If You Are Treated & If You Are Treating Others In An Exact Means You Desire Your Loved Ones . .daughter, nephew, mother, sister. Each Man Each Woman MUST START BEING ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS ALWAYS THINKING BEFORE DOING. THIS IS NOT GOING AWAY, IT IS TOO LONG A HISTORY THAT WILL LIVE TO BE TOLD FROM HERE FORWARD. LIVE WITH IT -- C H A N G E. NEW TIMES NEW ERA. B E C O M E A W A R E W I T H I N. LEARN TO BE BETTER HUMANS, IT IS EACHS' RESPONSE ABILITY. WHOSE EXAMPLE R U ?
Dlyn - 12/24/2017 5:15:27 AM

HOLLYWOOD - CHILDS PLAY IS OVER AND SO IS YOUR TRASH. CLEAN UP YOUR ACT FULLY & COMPLETELY BEHIND AND IN FRONT OF THE SCREEN. 1ST BY BEING REAL MEN, PROTECTORS, SINCERE, HONEST, SUPPORTIVE OF WOMEN, IS "NOT" SEXUAL [PERIOD] REAL MEN DISCIPLINE [THEMSELF] AND RESPECT WOMEN. TAKE A "LEARN TO BE A REAL MAN" COURSE [NOT a ladies man - Out-styled NOW] With appropriate knowledge in place, Teach/mentor boys on appropriate behavior towards girls and others. MEN are suppose to be a Good foundation to women and children in a respectful means. The foundation IS where Learning by Example BEGINS, AND TOO MANY OF YOU FORGET THAT. "TIMES NOW SHOW A NEED TO BRING IT BACK HOME, RE-BIRTHING THE MEANING OF COMMUNITY". ---> GIVING FURTHER PETITION, IN THE DISRUPTION OF HOLLYWOODS' ENVIRONMENT IN UP-STARTING THIS NEEDED CHANGE RIGHT ON SCREEN. BRING IN NEW WAVE INNOVATION,"ACTING" NOT SOLE TECHNOLOGY, WOMEN DIRECTORS, TRUE HUMAN INTERACTION WITHOUT VIOLENCE. OUT W/VIOLENCE, IN W/PEACE & KINDNESS
zoeha - 12/24/2017 8:16:52 AM

BRING IT ON - "BE THE CHANGE". HLYWD HAS LONG SURPASSED ITS OVERDUE WARPED ENVIRONMENT, RE'CREATING ANEW ATMOSPHERE [& NAME?!!] W/FRESH SHIFTING TALENT, MAJORITY WOMEN IN KEY +ROLES, ALL WOMEN-GEARED MOVIES, AND A "CLEAN SLATE". THE TIME HAS COME TO OPEN WITH A NEW CRE~8^IV APPEAL BRINGING HEART & SOUL TO THE SCREEN. THAT DOES REQUIRE MORE WOMEN FOREFRONT & BEHIND THE SCENES WRITING, PRODUCING, DIRECTING, ON-SIGHT ACTING & EVERYTHING LOGISTICS SCHOOL. IT IS THE TIME FOR WOMEN: CREATORS, BROAD- MINDED, MULTI-FACETED, INTENSE, PASSIONATE. A NEW APPROACH - "HER"STORY FOR WOMEN TO BE WHERE THEIR DESIRES FIT. .IT'S OVERDUE. "LIFE" NEEDS TO BE BREATHED BACK INTO THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE, ON SCREEN & IN THE AUDIENCE !! "REAL" ACTING IS WHERE THAT HAPPENS, NOT TECHNOLOGY. TECHNOLOGY-DRIVEN, OVER-DONE, OVER-USED, MISSING THE FULL HUMAN EXPERIENCE. KRINE OUT LOUD- LET'S GET BACK TO REAL HUMAN ACTING, LIKE RICKY NELSON, LEAVE IT TO BEAVER GREATS. . .WHEN ACTORS ACTED, BE HUMAN, B4 ROBOTS TAKE US
chic - 12/24/2017 9:12:10 AM

Yeah . . .WHERE'S the Likings of Fun Hearty Laughter till your belly hurts ComedY . . And Romance, with Emotion, Character . . NOT sex sickened drama. LET'S Be human Feel our Emotions, Enlighten our lives In PositivitY. SOOOO DONE with Hollywoods'. Negative, trash, dark, RULY, DISS-respect verbally, physically, mentally In All TOO OLD of Garbage put out on the screen. NO Showmanship. DISGUST, DEGRADING AS A WHOLE. LOVE, PEACEFUL KINDNESS NEEDS TO BE PRACTISED ON THE SCREEN WHERE IT NEEDS TO START. OBVIOUSLY SOME MAJOR THINGS NEED TO CHANGE AND IT SURELY SMELLS. SWITCHING OUT ROLES, POSITIONING WOMEN FOR THE "BETTERMENT", MAKING DECISIONS TO SET THE STAGE FOR CHANCE AT A MUCH KINDER WORLD TO TAKE HOLD, STARTING WITH "THEIR" SCREEN APPROACH, VERSES THE DECADES LONG OF WORSENED GORE VIOLENCE, WOMEN DO NOT CREATE. THE SKUNK IS OUT AS THE MANS WORLD OF VIOLENCE. IT MUST S T O P. NOW, JUST AS THEIR SEXUAL VIOLENCE. IT WILL NO LONGER BE TOLERATED . . BY WOMEN & THE REAL MEN.
Robert Ake - 12/24/2017 11:49:49 AM

Stop typing in caps. It is rude.
Venedica - 12/24/2017 12:58:15 PM

No, I don't think he should be removed from the film. He's entitled to his perspective/opinion ... though I do think he's "missing" something. Perhaps no man can really understand the female experience of male predation in the workplace (and beyond) in its many forms. He has daughters. Sadly, he is likely to better understand as his daughters become young women.
TJH - 12/24/2017 4:40:13 PM

There is a difference between cutting off a person's finger or their head. One is murder the other isn't. There are always levels of wrong.
Tim - 12/24/2017 4:55:02 PM

Can we find the true facts before you act ! Stop being a follower ,think for yoursel .
Tim - 12/24/2017 5:02:40 PM

Oh and just one more thing , if someone types in caps who cares and where does it say it's Rude ? And why in hell does this bother you. There is so much hate and followers out thier. Go outside leave your phone at home and just look around and talk and see people .
John Leblanc - 12/24/2017 11:12:09 PM

F...these b....ches.We all know how they have obtained their roles and climbed the ladder.If we had petition against every actress who opened her leg to obtain a role,we would be filing petition daily for years.
Michele Read - 12/25/2017 8:09:47 AM

He did nothing wrong. He's a fine actor and he just stated that there is a difference between rape and a pat, which there is and they should both be punished but in different degrees of penalty.
Donna - 12/25/2017 12:13:26 PM

Everyone is entitled to their opinion!! Matt Damon as well as Minnie Driver!! They are just different!!!
Donna - 12/25/2017 12:16:13 PM

Everyone is entitled to their opinion!! Matt Damon as well as Minnie Driver!! They are just different!!!
J'may - 12/25/2017 1:23:49 PM

Cut Damon? I can't stand his politics, but the show must go on. See it or don't see it. Bigger things to worry about; like, would you spend your tax refund seeing his picture?
Karen - 12/25/2017 1:30:32 PM

Give me a break! Now they're attacking Matt Damon for expressing an intelligent personal opinion? The mass hysteria in this country over alleged sexual harassment (some of which allegedly happened over 30 years ago) is totally out of control. It's time people with too much time and too little intelligence find something else to focus their narrow minds on.
Claudette - 12/25/2017 7:09:37 PM

No he should not be removed from the movie, he is entitled to his opinion like everyone else
Lillanne Lowe - 12/26/2017 7:38:47 AM

How is the media NOT calling this â€˜violence against womenâ€™ long prove a TOTAL LIE back in the 70s when the woman author was revealed TOTALLY making up statistics used the moronic â€˜never read scienceâ€™ politicians made these laws. How can the media NIT be calling for these fanatical male-hating s j w s not to be sent for counselling, seriously to say a man who touches a woman equal to violent rape deserving life destroyed 19-25 years to life is obscene. These people have serious mental illness and should be taken to the hospital for treatment before men refuse to work with women at all. If you think patting the bum, kissing the hand or cheek, offering anescirtingbhand and just holding hands as the same as violent bone breaking blood fear of pregnancy disease THEN YOU ELLEN MALLISSA MADONNA OPRAH OBAMA TRUDEAU ARE TOO DANGEROUSLY MENTALLY DERANGED. No shit, these are the bully femiNAZIS whose ultimate goal in our own generation to make all masculinity illegal, men and boys overflowing prisons for new law stating female need only declare male made her feel uncomfortable = sexual assault = rape thus salve labour until we create enough androids to fully automate the rest of life so women can cual men finally into extinction the androids in our image to do everything mren hadnâ€™t stupidly made themselves redundant for. I SHIT YOU NOT google â€œfeminist SCUM society cut up men book adopted as feminist doctrine by NOW back in 1984 when feminism seemed to die but YOU FOOLS either donâ€™t remember or are too stupid to look it up and see the truth. You are like Jews atheists and communists in 1839s Europe refusing to read Hitlerâ€™s â€˜Mein Kanpffâ€™ when he started persecuting millions. LOOK II UP READ IT pASS THE WORD THIS mALE EXtermination plan is REAL and NEVER retracted by that â€˜you are all so dumber than me no one even asks why I never criticize even those NOW leaders who murder men and insist heterosexual intercourses and pregnancy itself is RAPE. Get off your lazy butts do the homework itâ€™s all there in their own home pages literature speeches books videos doctrine policies and goals. But no youâ€™ll be that Jew in 1936 who cried â€˜why me?â€™ Thrown in concentration camp no phone call, no lawyer no judge jury or trial or appeal I pay on bum equals violent rape 0 tolerance automatic guilt â€˜we believeâ€™ automatic victim mean you automatic guilty The new feminazi law LITERALLY does say 0 tolerance like Milano and their regime Like a nazi party member accusing a Jew of acting like a Jew AUTOMATIC prison time as if murderous traitor. LOOK S.C.U.M. Feminist doctrine up NOW.
Sherrie Duer - 12/26/2017 10:07:59 AM

He did not mean it was acceptable he meant it wasn't as bad as say rape. When he was speaking of two different situations but he does not condone either behavior. People twist everything which gets on my nerves. If coarse Matt should be in movies.
Sherrie Duer - 12/26/2017 10:08:13 AM

He did not mean it was acceptable he meant it wasn't as bad as say rape. When he was speaking of two different situations but he does not condone either behavior. People twist everything which gets on my nerves. If coarse Matt should be in movies.
CDubya - 12/27/2017 7:42:06 PM

Wow. I also think the voting tab says it all. I think most people making comments seem to all agree they are on he same page. I hope this topic dies down soon. It's taking up a lot of people's time always reading about it and adding a new celeb to the topic.
Snepts - 12/28/2017 8:42:18 AM

Judging by the trailer, he might want to be cut from the movie anyway.
richard - 1/5/2018 5:55:14 AM

I had no idea women speculated on men's gentiles, Valerie.
Kaney - 1/11/2018 4:06:00 PM

If we need to focus on sexual assault committed by â€œ celebritiesâ€ why not start at the top with Mr. â€œ No Collusionâ€ President Trump. GO BIG AMERICA and make it great again

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