Jeremy Renner lends his voice to Stardust Future: Stars and Scars, an animated feature set to debut in theaters this November and described as the first full-length film created entirely using artificial intelligence. The film showcases Renner as the Oracle of Time, guiding audiences through a narrative that spans from the universe’s beginnings to the year 2080, marking his return to voice acting following his serious snowplow accident in 2023.
A Unique Collaboration and Voice Role
This project reunites Renner with filmmaker Yi Zhou, who previously worked with the actor on the documentary Chronicles of Disney. In Stardust Future, Renner’s character serves as the narrative thread, bridging cosmic and human history. The film’s November release will mark a significant moment in Renner’s artistic journey, combining his renewed focus on voice work with groundbreaking technology.
Innovative Animation and Musical Elements
Yi Zhou’s production company, Into the Sun Entertainment, employs a blend of 2D and 3D animation techniques that she has trademarked as a distinct storytelling style. This approach visually reflects the film’s themes, contrasting different time periods and exploring the tension between reality and imagination. The creators assert that no prior feature-length movie has integrated AI with this specific combined animation method.
The film’s score is a collaboration between Zhou’s original compositions and reimagined pieces by the late Ennio Morricone, arranged by the Into the Sun Collective. Fashion icon Diane von Fürstenberg appears through a 3D digital rendering, adding a unique artistic presence to the film’s layered visuals.
Philosophical Themes and Inspirational Influences
Stardust Future draws inspiration from the works of filmmaker Godfrey Reggio and composer Philip Glass, using their contemplative styles to explore pressing issues such as climate change, conflict, mortality, and human consciousness. The story poses questions about whether technological advancements can harmonize with the natural world.
This is a film born from the intersection of human resilience and machine imagination,
Zhou said.
I asked AI to tell me about our past and show me our future. My team and I used AI not as a replacement for creativity but as an extension of memory to heal what humanity has broken and to dream of what we will become.
AI is a tool for humanity, not to replace human creativity. It enhances our possibilities and builds what I call an immortalityscape, a vision where art, bodies, memory and technology converge to transcend time. I am inspired by its positive potential for the future, as long as we make a safe and respectful use of it.
Impact Beyond the Screen
A portion of the film’s proceeds will benefit two charities: Renner’s Rennervation Foundation, which supports foster youth and wildfire victims, and the Motion Picture and Television Fund, which aids entertainment workers affected by California‘s wildfires this year. This philanthropic effort reflects Renner’s growing commitment to humanitarian causes alongside his acting career.
About Creators and Production Company
Yi Zhou, a Chinese multimedia artist whose work has been featured at prestigious events such as the Venice Biennale, Shanghai Biennale, Sundance, and Cannes, leads Into the Sun Entertainment. With bases in Los Angeles, Rome, and Hong Kong, the female-led, Asian American and Pacific Islander-founded company integrates film, music, and AI-driven content creation, aiming to amplify marginalized voices both in front of and behind the camera.
Renner’s Rennervation Foundation, established in 2024, furthers his philanthropic vision by providing aid to foster children, wildfire victims, and others recovering from significant trauma, complementing the meaningful themes explored in Stardust Future.
Recognition and Awards Ambitions
Into the Sun Entertainment intends to campaign for multiple Academy Awards, including categories such as animated feature, original score, original song, sound, film editing, and visual effects. This mirrors the production company’s confidence in its pioneering use of AI technology combined with innovative artistry and storytelling.
