Pick a petition, any petition — about whether Matt Damon should have a cameo in the upcoming female-centric “Ocean’s 8.”
More than 21,000 people have signed a Rebecca G. petition online that calls for “The Martian” star to be left on the cutting room floor.
His history of comments seen as friendly to sex-harassers stirred the Venutian hornet’s nest.
“Damon also recently gave an interview where he said he’d still work with people who had been accused of sexual misconduct, on a ‘case-by-case’ basis. This behavior is beyond enabling — it’s just gross. Matt Damon should not be in this movie,” the petition said.
Another anti-Damon petition — “BOYCOTT HYPOCRITICAL OCEANS’ 8 if sexual predator enabler Matt Damon NOT REMOVED!” — had one signature.
On the flip side, smaller drives on the same site are titled “Matt Damon is right,” “Demand Matt Damon Stay in Ocean’s 8!” and “Guilt By Association Isn’t Logical – Take Down the Petition Against Matt Damon.”
Also: “A petition to end the petition that’s trying to get Matt Damon removed from ocean’s 8,” and “KEEP MATT DAMON IN OCEAN’S 8.“
Combined, they had 27 signatures Friday afternoon.
Erika M. of New York left a comment on the main pro-Damon page:
“The lynch-mob has gotten out of control. There was nothing wrong with Matt’s comments and even if there was there is no crime in voicing an opinion in this country. Our society has gotten overly sensitive and I’m over it. Please consolidate all of these counterpetitions into one so that it can get the critical mass of signatures.”
Kristine T. of Virginia added: “It is about legal justice and not innuendo. It is about preserving freedom of speech.”
The New York Daily News reported: “Damon faced serious criticism after an interview with ABC News in which he proved he does not understand the #MeToo movement.”