Jeremy Renner Rejects Director's Claim of Resolution
Hollywood actor Jeremy Renner has publicly contradicted claims made by director Yi Zhou that they had reached a "peaceful and mutually respectful resolution" following her multiple allegations against him. The dispute began earlier this month when Zhou, 37, accused the 54-year-old Marvel star of serious misconduct.
Conflicting Accounts of Alleged Harassment
Zhou, who collaborated with Renner on a documentary this year, alleged that in June the actor sent her a series of "unsolicited pornographic images of himself" via WhatsApp and direct messages. She further claimed that when she confronted him about this behaviour, Renner threatened to contact Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on her.
In a dramatic twist, Zhou took to Instagram on Saturday 15 November 2025 to announce that the pair had settled their differences without any financial settlement and would continue working together on their joint projects, including the documentary Chronicles of Disney and the AI-animated film Stardust Future.
Legal Team Issues Forceful Denial
However, Renner's lawyer, Martin Singer, delivered a swift and unequivocal rebuttal to Zhou's claims. "There was no deal reached with Yi Zhou to resolve my client Jeremy Renner's substantial multi-million dollar claims against her," Singer told TMZ.
He expressed bewilderment at Zhou's announcement, stating: "I have no knowledge why Yi Zhou would fabricate a story that a deal has been made with her since she was notified that there was no deal with her, including her use of Jeremy Renner in an animated movie when he only agreed to be in a documentary."
This legal confrontation represents the latest chapter in a bitter exchange of allegations. Renner had previously denied Zhou's accusations through his lawyer, who described them as "totally inaccurate and untrue." Singer presented a counter-narrative, alleging that after a "consensual encounter" between the pair, Zhou began sending the actor "sexually explicit" messages and lashed out after Renner "rejected her romantic advances."
Escalating Allegations and Historical Context
The dispute has escalated significantly in recent weeks. Zhou provided additional details to the Daily Mail, claiming that during a meeting at Renner's home about Chronicles of Disney, the actor became intoxicated and "yelled for two hours," leaving her "scared for [her] life." She stated she shared her location with her team and parents as a precaution.
In alleged text messages to Disney colleagues obtained by the Mail, Zhou described Renner as "violent." She also accused him of refusing to promote their collaborative projects despite repeated requests.
This isn't the first time Renner has faced serious allegations. His ex-wife, Sonni Pacheco, whom he was married to from 2014 to 2015, previously sought sole custody of their daughter, accusing him of drug use and making threats. Renner vehemently denied these accusations, calling them "clickbait" in a July interview with The Guardian. The pair now share joint custody of their 12-year-old daughter.
The actor, who survived a near-fatal snowplow accident in January 2023, finds himself embroiled in another high-profile legal battle that shows no signs of immediate resolution despite Zhou's claims to the contrary.
