In wake of #MeToo and #TimesUp, Casey Affleck decides not to present at the Oscars

Casey Affleck has decided to recuse himself from presenting the Oscar for best actress at the 2018 Academy Awards, likely due to the two sexual harassment allegations laid against him in 2010.

Affleck withdrew from presenting at the Oscars so as not to be a "distraction from the focus that should be on the performances of the actresses in the category," Deadline reported Thursday, via anonymous sources. A spokesperson for Affleck confirmed to Reuters he would not be in attendance.

With the public's attention drawn toward cases of sexual assault and misconduct thanks to the #MeToo movement, Affleck reportedly thought it would be best to not put himself in the spotlight. Smart call!

Affleck won best actor at the 2017 Academy Awards for Manchester by the Sea, and traditionally the previous year's best actor winner presents the award for the best actress category, and vice versa.

The actresses nominated for best lead actress are Sally Hawkins for The Shape of Water, Francis McDormand for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Margot Robbie for I, Tonya, Saoirse Ronan for Lady Bird, and Meryl Streep for The Post.

Affleck was accused of sexual misconduct by two women, a producer and cinematographer, while working on the facetious Joaquin Phoenix documentary he directed I'm Still Here in two 2010 lawsuits. The cases were settled out of court and Affleck is not legally able to comment on the allegations.

Affleck has mostly been silent on the allegations, but after they resurfaced in 2017, Affleck gave some insubstantial quotes to The Boston Globe, saying there's nothing he can do about it and he is just living his life.

“I believe that any kind of mistreatment of anyone for any reason is unacceptable and abhorrent," Affleck said, not referencing any specific situation. "And everyone deserves to be treated with respect in the workplace and anywhere else.”