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'Get in the bin': Benedict Cumberbatch slammed for wanting to 'fix' toxic male behavior

The 45-year-old English actor made the statement while promoting his new movie -- ‘Power of the Dog’

Benedict Cumberbatch has been slammed on the internet for demanding an end to “toxic masculinity” and saying people need to get out of the “not all men are bad” aspect. The 45-year-old English actor made the statement while promoting his new movie -- ‘Power of the Dog,’ which is an adaptation of a novel by Thomas Savage.

In the latest film, Cumberbatch will be as Phil Burbank, a masochistic rancher who reportedly inspires fear and awe in those around him, including his brother and his new wife (played by Jesse Plemmons and Kirsten Dunst respectively). The Oscar-nominated actor told Sky News, “We need to fix the behaviour of men. You have to kind of lift the lid on the engine a little bit.”

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Drawing a comparison between his film, which is set in 1920s Montana, and today’s time, the ‘Sherlock’ star said, “You get this sort of rebellion aspect [from men today], this denial, this sort of childish defensive position of 'not all men are bad', but no, we just have to shut up and listen. There is not enough recognition of abuse, there's not enough recognition of disadvantages and, at the same time, somewhere along the line - maybe not now, but somewhere along the line - we need to do maybe what the film does as well, which is examine the reason behind the oppressive behaviour.”

Cumberbatch’s remarks came after Dunst revealed why she and the ‘Doctor Strange’ actor did not speak with each other on the set. Cumberbatch first told NME, “I didn't want to be really mean to Kirsten, but I needed to stay in character. So I didn't speak to her on-set. She was the same. We were the negative to each other’s positive. [We were] repelled by each other.”

Then Dunst also explained the reason behind the distance and told Radio Times, “I isolated myself from Benedict. We didn't talk at all during the filming unless we were out to dinner on a weekend, all together, or playing with our kids. He's so sweet. And he's so British. Polite British, you know? I was like, 'I can't talk to you!’”

Meanwhile, Cumberbatch’s recent remarks on “toxic masculinity” have not been appreciated by many on the internet. A critic tweeted, “Fix male behavior? Let's start with Cumberbatch.” Another one said, “Why do IDIOTS who act think they know ANYTHING Will never watch another PRETEND movie of his!” “I didn't know he was a cuck. I should have figured he was I guess. I bet his wife has a bunch of boyfriends,” a tweet added.

A person wrote, “when are ppl gonna learn that benedict cumberbatch is not a nice person.” The second one claimed, “Benedict Cumberbatch as a lonely, dysfunctional 'instinctive bully' who heaps 'sneering homophobic abuse' on a teenager who makes paper flowers just sounds a bit too much close to life, eh?” An angry user noted: “Hey Benedict, In a time when suicide is one of biggest killers of young men, only an out of touch fool would tell men to shut up and listen to women and brand us as toxic. Get in the bin. Not done anything good since Sherlock you simp hack coward. @Cumberbitches #simp #coward.”

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.