Jeremy Renner, known for his role as Clint Barton/Hawkeye in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), is confronting serious abuse allegations from Yi Zhou, a filmmaker and former partner. Their relationship included professional collaborations on two projects, a documentary titled Chronicles of Disney and an animated film called Stardust Future. Zhou has accused Renner of domestic abuse and sending unsolicited explicit images, claims she shared publicly in early November 2025, sparking considerable controversy.
Allegations of Intense Aggression and Fear
Yi Zhou described a disturbing incident occurring while they were working on a project at Renner’s home. According to Zhou, Renner consumed an entire bottle of wine and subsequently engaged in intense, angry yelling lasting two hours. The filmmaker said she feared for her safety so profoundly that she had to lock herself in a room and share her location with colleagues and family members to ensure someone knew where she was during the ordeal.
“I was discussing about the doc logistics, then he drank a bottle of wine alone and got angry and angry yelling for two hours. I had to location-share to my team, my parents and Disney colleagues in case something happens to me they know where I am. I had to lock myself in a room to be safe praying he would not come into the room at night as he was really angry. I did not say a word, I was so scared for my life.”
Yi Zhou, Filmmaker and Former Partner
Public Accusations and Timeline of Instagram Posts
On November 3, 2025, Zhou used Instagram to connect directly with the public, posting a series of statements revealing prolonged distress caused by Renner’s alleged behavior. She recounted months of living in fear due to his conduct and expressed deep disappointment over the impact on her personal safety and professional reputation.
In the initial Instagram post, Zhou accused Renner of sending unsolicited personal and explicit photographs while professing openness to a long-term romantic relationship, which she initially believed in despite the distress it later caused.
“Part 1: It is with deep regret, sadness, and disappointment that I am compelled to share a truth I have been holding inside for too long.Over the past months, I have lived with fear for my safety and deep distress over the treatment I have endured. No woman, filmmaker, or creative should have to work under such emotional and psychological pressure while trying to protect her name and the integrity of her work.I am making an appeal to my fellow filmmakers, Academy voters, Hollywood peers, executives, and the women to stand with me. I feel profound despair that a project created to uplift below-the-line artists, ‘Chronicles of Disney,’ and to celebrate the history of one of the world’s most beloved companies, Disney, has been damaged by online trolling and by the misconduct of Jeremy Renner. Mr. Renner first contacted me directly in June, sending personal and intimate photographs of himself, behavior that, according to public reports, he has exhibited before. He convinced me of his sincerity, saying he had been single for a long time and open to a long-term relationship. I believed in him, in the power of love, and in the possibility of redemption.”
Yi Zhou, Filmmaker and Former Partner
Claims of Misinformation and Intimidation After Project Release
Following the release of Chronicles of Disney, Zhou alleged that Renner distanced himself from promoting the documentary despite contractual agreements. She criticized Renner for allowing false statements about the documentary — claiming it was AI-generated and denying their professional and personal connections — to spread through fan accounts without intervention.
Moreover, Zhou stated that when she privately confronted Renner about his misconduct and requested respectful behavior, Renner responded with threats to involve immigration authorities, which she found frightening and unacceptable.
“Part 2: Jeremy Renner later entered into written agreements with my Italian production company Into the Sun Films, granting signed consent for the use of his image, likeness, archival material, social-media content, and his foundation in our projects. Yet, after the project’s release two weeks ago, he has refused to make any public promotion, despite our repeated pleas public and private for support. Instead, he has allowed without stepping up for false information to spread through fan accounts falsely claiming that the documentary was generated by AI and denying any personal relation or professional collaboration. These statements are untrue. Current industry and California regulations, including those advanced by Governor Gavin Newsom, make clear that AI tools such as Sora do not authorize the use of celebrity likeness without explicit consent.When I called him out privately about his past misconduct and asked him to behave properly, to respect me as a woman and as a filmmaker, he threatened to call immigration/ICE on me, an act that deeply shocked and frightened me. Such behavior is unacceptable and emblematic of the imbalance of power that continues to harm women in our industry.This misinformation and intimidation have not only caused personal and reputational harm to me but have also undermined the collective creative work and integrity of all the artisans who contributed to this film. The project, alongside its companion animated feature, ‘Stardust Future,’ was conceived to support his own foundation and the wildlife January victims with MPTF and to inspire hope in a future where technology and humanity can coexist peacefully.I am deeply disappointed not only as a woman but also as a director, to see the truth distorted and power used to silence and erase. Organizations such as amfAR and media outlets that continue to honor Mr. Renner as a symbol of philanthropy should re-examine their stance, as no charity can serve as cover up for misconduct.”
Yi Zhou, Filmmaker and Former Partner
Zhou told the Daily Mail that Renner showed indifference toward the harmful rumors, reportedly saying,
“I don’t know any of these people,”
and, “I don’t control people.”
Speaking Out Against Abuse and Its Wider Industry Impact
In a third Instagram post, Zhou widened her focus to address abuse of power within Hollywood, highlighting the difficulties faced by women, Asian filmmakers, and creatives in the industry. She expressed ongoing pain and humiliation resulting from her experience with Renner but emphasized the necessity of revealing uncomfortable truths.
“Part 3: There must be no abuse of power in Hollywood, no abuse of love, neither against women, nor against truth, nor against art.These 3 posts are intended to uncover unsaid truth about Hollywood and the conditions about how women and Asian filmmakers and filmmakers overall are still being mistreated. Many don’t have a following, many don’t have the media support like I do, I hope my story can be supported to combat such as imbalance of power that shocks as a thunder in the middle of a night tempest.Believe me, it took me a long time, before I had the courage to write this and speak up, I thank my team, my agents / managers and friends / other women who supported me in voicing such a pain and humiliation I still have inside as I am typing these posts.”
Yi Zhou, Filmmaker and Former Partner
Hoping for Change Amid Disappointment and Industry Challenges
In her fourth Instagram message, Zhou acknowledged Renner’s past controversies and stated she initially hoped he had changed after a severe accident in his life. She revealed the projects, Chronicles of Disney and Stardust Future, were intended to benefit Renner’s own charitable foundation and provide aid through organizations like the Motion Picture Television Fund (MPTF).
Zhou lamented the continual barrage of hateful comments against her and the films, which were made with dedication and international collaboration, especially heartbreaking during awards season. She closed with a call for courage and justice in the industry justice to protect voices like hers.
“Part 4: Although we cannot force anyone to publicly support our project, even those contractually involved, we had hoped that, given our projects directly benefit Jeremy Renner’s own foundation, the Motion Picture Television Fund MPTF for wildfire relief, and below-the-line artists @mastersofcinemaseries whose work and legacy we seek to honor, there would be at least a minimal gesture of acknowledgment.Our documentary ‘Chronicles of Disney was independently produced with the gracious consent of the Disney team, a company that has employed Jeremy for many years. My story here is about how easily we, as women and creatives, can be deceived, not only by men, but by our own belief that human nature is inherently good.When I learned of his past through certain articles shared by his own fans (the good fans), I was deeply shocked. Yet, I chose to believe that those incidents belonged to a previous chapter of his life, before his accident, and that he had changed. Unfortunately, recent weeks have shown me otherwise.My team and I have spent countless hours each day cleaning our social media, blocking / deleting waves of hateful comments that accuse our documentary of being fake made with Ai without having had 1 word of public support from Jeremy in regards. This is despite the fact that we have spent months, often working overnight with our teams in Italy and in China despite the time difference, to bring this project to life with integrity and love. To see our work dismissed and defamed with misinformation during Oscar season is truly heartbreaking.I speak up today not only for myself but for every woman who might find herself in a similar situation still today, silenced, intimidated, or afraid to lose work / opportunities for telling the truth. If we don’t reveal what’s behind the curtain, can there ever truly be justice in this industry or in this world?”
Yi Zhou, Filmmaker and Former Partner
Allegations of Domestic Aggression and Past Abuse
On November 4, 2025, Zhou made further claims through Instagram accusing Renner of domestic aggression, referencing allegations previously made by his ex-wife, Sonni Pacheco. Pacheco had alleged that Renner engaged in drug use and domestic violence, including threatening her life and firing a gun within their daughter’s presence.
Zhou revealed she endured similar treatment herself, causing her to fear for her life while trying to complete her film projects with support from her production teams and Disney colleagues abroad.
“There are moments in life when silence becomes both shield and burden. For months, I carried my pain quietly in my relation with Jermey Renner which turned out to have domestic aggressions, and by choosing to finish my films, Chronicles of Disney and Stardust Future, and give out a positive and romantic tone to the relation no matter how heavy the days felt. When I read the past allegations of his ex wife, I did not believe them. After experiencing in first person, and having had the fear for my life, I managed to endure thx to my team and my friend’s at Disney’s support and I could finish ‘Chronicles of Disney’ and ‘Stardust Future’ with my team in Italy and China @intothesunfilms @colorsofthesunventures.”
Yi Zhou, Filmmaker and Former Partner
Repeated Sending of Unsolicited Pornographic Content
Zhou further detailed incidents where Renner sent her explicit images without consent. She stated that in June 2025, Renner’s first contact with her included two personal photographs followed by a series of unsolicited pornographic images shared via direct message and WhatsApp. Zhou indicated she later discovered similar behavior had been reported by other women. Despite the troubling nature of this introduction, she was initially flattered by the pursuit of a relationship due to Renner’s celebrity status.
“In June 2025, out of the blue I received 2 photos of Jeremy Renner and then a string of unwanted / unsolicited pornographic images of himself via DM and Whatspp, that was his introduction to me, in the same way, according to past media reports i subsequently discovered he shared with other women in the past as self-intro. After having calls and text discussions he allured me and sold me he was looking for a relation and of course seduced / flatted that he was a Hollywood star fantasizing and loving me so much I believed in him / the power of love and embarked on the most difficult months + 2 Oscar running projects I kindly invited him to be part. Subsequently, i discovered to be destroyed by a set up smear fans campaign against me and our 2 projects. This is alarming to know in Hollywood we can still act in such a manner. I’m worried for other women who will be victims and might have been victims being used as a sexual object, abused and destroyed in such a manner. Hollywood hides these men and bad behavior for the sake of money, but do we still need to be a silent victim in the post me 2 era? I thank the media reporters that reached out to me and is willing to support me unpack the truth we need to endure in today’s Hollywood, help other women to tell the truth.”
Yi Zhou, Filmmaker and Former Partner
Industry-Wide Abuse of Power and Call for Accountability
In response to ongoing harassment and silence surrounding the issue of unsolicited explicit material, Zhou addressed a systemic problem in the entertainment industry where women receive inappropriate sexual messages from influential figures. She called for Hollywood institutions to uphold women’s rights and dignity, condemning such behavior as unacceptable.
“When anyone, no matter how powerful or well-known, sends unsolicited sexually explicit material to a stranger, it is an abuse of boundaries. It reflects a broader problem in parts of the entertainment industry, where women still receive unwanted sexual messages or images from people who hold influence. This behaviour objectifies and humiliates the recipient and contributes to a culture of fear and silence. It’s time for Hollywood to treat such conduct as unacceptable and to protect women’s dignity and safety. amfAR, no, as a serious and respected org, have some respect for women affected by him, can’t reward his abuse, it s not right for other women who were victims before me and might be in the future, pls do a research online with clear well documented reports about this phenomenon and his actions to other victims: we are flashed by his constant porn imageries then mistreated, it is NOT acceptable.”
Yi Zhou, Filmmaker and Former Partner
Revelations of Infidelity and Additional Victims Emerging
On November 6, 2025, Zhou shared further claims that Renner cheated on her during their relationship and that his abusive behavior extended to other women, including fans met at official events. She indicated that more disturbing details may still surface as her story develops, and encouraged other victims to come forward to help improve conditions in Hollywood.
“I believed in a Disney fairy tale when Jeremy Renner reached out to me and pursued me: I thought until recently love was pure and his accident made him a new person therefore ‘Chronicles of Disney’ and ‘Stardust Future’ included him, and the fairytale I believed In was interwoven in the 2 works (which aim and commitment as previously reported are to be 100% donated to MPTF and to the below the line fund with NO gain for Into the Sun Films). As this is a developing story of cyber flashing / unsolicited porn and smear campaign and domestic violence, I just found out thx to the courageous @joshtboswell there’ s another victim that just spoke to him and apparently he cheated on me with her! I have confessed to him some new details I have not shared in today’s interview to Josh. I m proud of the work he is doing in digging what Hollywood wants to hide and praise. Bravo @joshtboswell @dailymail we need more courage among media to support and uncover. Stay tuned. More to come, more scandal and misconduct. Many I was told seem to be fans he contacts at meet and greet or just online. How can we abuse of fans? He uses them for his own pleasure sends porn images then trashed them in the trash bin by ghosting. A pattern I was told is frequently exhibited by him.I encourage other victims to speak up, Hollywood media to support us more in unpacking this truth and make Hollywood healthy and safe for women.”
Yi Zhou, Filmmaker and Former Partner
Industry Reaction and Absence of Official Response
As the allegations surfaced, prominent organizations and media outlets are facing pressure to address these claims, with Zhou questioning associations that continue to honor Renner as a philanthropic figure despite the accusations. She urged groups like amfAR to reconsider their support in light of the serious misconduct allegations.
To date, Jeremy Renner has not issued any formal statements or responses regarding the abuse and unsolicited pornography charges made by Yi Zhou.
Potential Implications for Hollywood Power Dynamics and Victims’ Rights
The unfolding allegations against Jeremy Renner reflect broader issues within the entertainment industry, highlighting the persistence of abuse and harassment even among high-profile individuals. Zhou’s public revelations underscore the challenges women face when confronting power imbalances and the culture of silence that protects influential figures.
As more voices emerge and media scrutiny intensifies, this case could prompt reevaluation of how the industry handles misconduct, potentially influencing policies related to workplace safety, accountability, and respect for women and creatives. The situation also raises the importance of supporting survivors and fostering an environment where victims can safely share their stories without fear of professional retaliation.
