Chris Evans, Jeremy Renner apologise for Black Widow remarks

Chris Evans and Jeremy Renner have apologized for their Black Widow remarks.

The 33-year-old Captain America star and 44-year-old Hawkeye actor came under heavy fire this week for disparaging the female Marvel character, portrayed by Scarlett Johansson, in an interview with Digital Spy.

"She's a slut," Renner responded when asked about the superhero's rumored romance with the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) over Captain America and Hawkeye. Evans laughed before agreeing, "I was going to say something along that line... a complete whore."

"Yesterday we were asked about the rumors that Black Widow wanted to be in a relationship with both Hawkeye and Captain America," Evans said in a statement. "We answered in a very juvenile and offensive way that rightfully angered some fans. I regret it and sincerely apologize."

"I am sorry that this tasteless joke about a fictional character offended anyone," Renner added in a separate statement. "It was not meant to be serious in any way. Just poking fun during an exhausting and tedious press tour."

Evans, Renner and Johansson will return in Avengers: Age of Ultron come May 1. The film is directed by Joss Whedon, and will see the superhero team take on the supervillain Ultron (James Spader).