Is Matt Damon about to be dumped from 'Ocean's 8'?

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An online petition is demanding Matt Damon's cameo be cut from the 2018 heist movie "Ocean's 8" after the Oscar-winning actor put himself in a tilt position with remarks over the sexual misconduct firestorm blazing through Hollywood.

By Thursday night, the petition has been signed more than 16,620 times – close to its goal of 17,000.

Critics say his inclusion would be particularly galling given its status as an all female reboot of the popular franchise, starring Cate Blanchett, Sandra Bullock, Anne Hathaway and Helena Bonham Carter.

The petition calls on "Ocean's 8" producers George Clooney and Steven Soderbergh, "to toss Damon's 'Ocean's 8' cameo where it belongs: On the cutting room floor."

It alleges that he "enabled" Harvey Weinstein's conduct by trying to squash a New York Times report in 2004 that detailed instances of the now fallen Hollywood mogul exploiting his status as a studio executive to harass and assault women.

Harvey Weinstein /AFP Photo

Damon, 47, denied trying to bury the story and claimed he had no idea of the allegations against Weinstein, who helped catapult him to international stardom.

The actor also came under fire last week for telling ABC News that there was a "spectrum of behavior" and that there's a "difference between, you know, patting someone on the butt and rape or child molestation, right?"

His long-time friend, Ben Affleck, with whom he shared an Oscar for best screenplay over 1997 movie "Good Will Hunting" and Affleck's actor brother Casey, have also been accused publicly in recent months of sexual misconduct.

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck came out against the growing allegations leveled at disgraced film mogul Harvey Weinstein. /AP Photo

"This behavior is beyond enabling – it's just gross. Matt Damon should not be in this movie," said the petition.

"Damon's inclusion would trivialize the serious nature of the charges against sexual abusers like Weinstein," and "show massive disrespect" to women speaking out, it said.

"Ocean's 8" is scheduled for release in June 2018 and tells of an attempted heist at New York's annual Met Gala, one of the hottest events in the celebrity universe.

Source(s): AFP