In an unexpected development, the conflict between Marvel star Jeremy Renner and director Yi Zhou has reportedly been resolved ‘peacefully’ after Zhou accused Renner of sending unsolicited images and threatening to involve immigration authorities.
The disagreement between Renner, aged 54, and Zhou, aged 38, originated from mutual cease and desist letters exchanged during the production of two documentaries, Stardust Future and Chronicles of Disney. Each party accused the other of initiating unwanted advances and sending explicit messages.
Both parties acknowledged a consensual romantic involvement at the beginning of their professional engagement. Renner stated he met Zhou on only two occasions for the documentary project and admitted to a ‘brief consensual encounter’, according to TMZ.
However, Zhou shared a different narrative through a series of Instagram posts, alleging, among other things, that Renner had threatened to contact ICE during their disagreement.
On November 15, Zhou informed TMZ that the two parties have ‘reached a peaceful and mutually respectful resolution’ and will proceed with their collaborative projects.
“We appreciate everyone who supported a positive outcome and embraced a forward-looking, collaborative path,” stated Zhou.
Despite this, Renner’s attorney, Marty Singer, contested the claim, asserting that no resolution has been reached.
“There was no deal reached with Yi Zhou to resolve my client Jeremy Renner’s substantial multi-million dollar claims against her,” Singer communicated to TMZ.
Singer continued: “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.”
On November 3, Zhou shared on Instagram: “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.”
Zhou also claimed she received two images unexpectedly followed by a ‘string of unwanted / unsolicited pornographic images of himself via DM and WhatsApp’.
“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,” she further alleged.
Previously, a legal representative for Renner stated that the allegations are ‘totally inaccurate and untrue’.