Actor Jeremy Renner has denied the harassment allegations brought against him by filmmaker Yi Zhou, who recently accused the Hawkeye star of inappropriate conduct and sending her unsolicited explicit images.
In a statement to Variety, a representative for Renner dismissed the accusations, saying, “The allegations being made are totally inaccurate and untrue.” The actor’s legal team has not provided additional comments at this time.
Zhou, 37, took to Instagram earlier this week, posting a series of messages with the hashtags “#Cancel” and “#CancelJeremyRenner”, alleging that the actor had sent her “unwanted and unsolicited pornographic images” via direct message and WhatsApp. She also claimed that Renner “seduced” her by expressing deep affection, saying she “believed in him and the power of love.”
In her posts, Zhou said she was targeted by “smear fan campaigns” after speaking out, writing, “This experience really shows the dark side of Hollywood and the smear campaign to deter women, Asian female filmmakers, and women in general. I’m appalled but grateful to see support from friends and media who continue to uncover domestic abuse and the unwanted porn attack against innocent young women.”
Further, speaking to The Daily Mail, Zhou elaborated that she had met Renner on August 20 to discuss a documentary project, during which she claimed he drank a bottle of wine and behaved violently. She alleged that she locked herself in a room that evening “out of fear”.
Before these allegations surfaced, Zhou and Renner were known to be collaborating on several creative projects. Renner was interviewed for Zhou’s upcoming documentary Chronicles of Disney, which explores the cultural legacy of the Disney brand and features contributions from industry professionals like costume designer Mark Bridges and makeup artist Bill Corso.
Renner is also credited as a voice actor in Zhou’s animated feature Stardust Future: Stars and Scars, described as the first full-length animated film created entirely using AI. The film was reportedly eyeing a November awards-qualifying theatrical release, with part of its proceeds pledged to Renner’s Rennervation Foundation charity.