Casey Affleck drops out of presenting Oscar amid sexual misconduct allegations

January 26, 2018 12:56

Casey Affleck has withdrawn from the Oscars where he was due to present the Best Actress award.

It was revealed the 42-year-old had notified the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences that he will not be attending this year's awards on March 4.

Sources said he does not want to distract from the women nominated in the category he was due to present.

Affleck's decision comes a year after his controversial victory in the male category and in the thick of the #MeToo movement.

In 2017, he took home the Oscar for his performance in Manchester By The Sea, a win which offended actresses including Brie Larson because of lingering accusations that he sexually harassed or was inappropriate towards two female colleagues in 2010.

Affleck settled their allegations with undisclosed financial sums and the topic was scarcely discussed.

When Larson refused to applaud him last year, she reminded the industry of those allegations.

As the winner of the 2016 Best Actress award, she had been tasked with presenting Affleck the honour.

Among the nominees in this year's category for Best Actress are Frances McDormand, a forceful voice in the #MeToo, Time's Up movement, and feminist favourite Meryl Streep.

Saoirse Ronan, Margot Robbie and Sally Hawkins are also nominated.

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