Jeremy Renner, known globally for portraying Hawkeye in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, is now facing new allegations that raise questions about his conduct and professional relationships.
The claims come from filmmaker Yi Zhou, who collaborated with Renner earlier this year on two projects. Zhou says the dynamic between them shifted from professional to coercive, alleging Renner initiated intimate contact and exploited the imbalance between their positions and reputations.
Allegations Surface Against Marvel Star
Zhou alleged that Renner sent her “unsolicited pornographic images of himself” after reaching out “out of the blue.” The Independent has contacted his representatives for comment. Zhou said Renner positioned their relationship as both personal and professional, telling her he “was a Hollywood star fantasizing and loving me so much I believed in him.”
She said she brought him into two projects she described as “Oscar running.” According to Zhou, she believed they shared trust, ambition, and aligned creative intentions. She says that changed when she visited his home to discuss work.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Zhou said Renner drank and became enraged, yelling for hours. “I had to lock myself in a room to be safe,” she said. She shared her location with colleagues because she feared the situation may escalate.
Screenshots provided to the outlet appear to show her team urging her to leave immediately. Zhou said she withdrew afterward, stating, “He used me and denied me and denied our work.”
Zhou also accused Renner of refusing to promote the projects and allowing false narratives about their collaboration to circulate. When she confronted him, she said he responded with intimidation. “He threatened to call immigration/ICE on me,” she wrote, calling the exchange “deeply shocking and frightening.”
A screenshot allegedly shows Renner writing, “Immigration will be notified of your —,” though Zhou declined to share the rest. She described the message as part of a wider “imbalance of power that continues to harm women in our industry.”
The Broader Context
These claims follow earlier allegations from Renner’s ex-wife, Sonni Pacheco, who once sought sole custody of their daughter and accused him of abusive behavior. Renner denied those claims, calling them “clickbait.” The two now share joint custody.
Public understanding of Renner has fluctuated over the past several years. He survived a near-fatal snowplow accident in 2023, sustaining over 30 broken bones. His recovery drew widespread public sympathy, especially among Marvel fans who viewed his resilience as heroic.
Renner has said Marvel approached him about Hawkeye Season 2, but that the offer was for “half” of his previous salary. He suggested the severity of his injuries may have influenced contract discussions. His last full Marvel appearance was in Hawkeye (2021), which also introduced Hailee Steinfeld’s Kate Bishop as a potential successor to the role.
He has yet to be confirmed for a return in the upcoming ensemble film Avengers: Doomsday (2026).
As of this writing, Renner has not publicly responded to Zhou’s claims.
Show the “pornographic” images Renner supposedly sent her, then she’ll get some backing.Text exchanges can be faked. The images will either be real or AI. AI can still be detected by examination.