REPORT: Marvel ‘Avengers’ Star Accused of Sexual Misconduct by Colleague

Marvel icon Jeremy Renner has been accused of sexual misconduct and threatening a former coworker.

Renner, who portrayed Clint Barton/Hawkeye in the Marvel Cinematic Universe for more than a decade across multiple films and the Hawkeye Disney+ series, is now facing new scrutiny outside his long-running franchise role.

Allegations Surface Against Jeremy Renner

The claims come from filmmaker Yi Zhou, who collaborated with Renner on two projects earlier this year. Zhou alleged he sent her “unsolicited pornographic images of himself” after initially reaching out to her online “out of the blue.”

Zhou said Renner presented himself as wanting a relationship, telling her he “was a Hollywood star fantasizing and loving me so much I believed in him.” She stated she invited him into two projects “Oscar running” at the time, believing they shared both a romantic and professional partnership.

In an interview with the Daily Mail, Zhou recounted visiting Renner’s home to discuss their documentary. She said he drank alcohol and became enraged, yelling for hours. “I had to lock myself in a room to be safe,” Zhou said, explaining she feared for her life and shared her location with her team.

Screenshots provided to the outlet allegedly show colleagues urging her to leave the home immediately. Zhou said she did not pursue him, adding, “He used me and denied me and denied our work.”

Zhou also accused Renner of refusing to promote their shared projects and allowing misinformation about them to spread. When she confronted him, she said he reacted with intimidation. “He threatened to call immigration/ICE on me,” she wrote, calling the alleged message “deeply shocking and frightening.”

 

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A screenshot purportedly shows Renner replying, “Immigration will be notified of your —,” though Zhou declined to share the rest of the message. She stated the exchange reflects a broader “imbalance of power that continues to harm women in our industry.”

Past Accusations and Current Career

These allegations follow previous claims from Renner’s ex-wife, Sonni Pacheco, who once sought sole custody of their daughter and alleged abusive behavior. Renner denied those claims, calling them “clickbait.” The pair now shares joint custody.

Renner has recently discussed returning to the MCU following his near-fatal 2023 snowplow accident, which left him with more than 30 broken bones, including eight ribs broken in 14 places, multiple leg fractures, and a shattered shoulder. The actor has spoken publicly about the long recovery process.

In May, Renner said Marvel approached him about making Hawkeye Season 2 but offered him “half” of his previous salary. He speculated that the severity of his injuries may have influenced the reduced offer, adding that his body has been rebuilding “from the ground up” to prepare for future stunt work.

He last appeared in Hawkeye (2021), where Hailee Steinfeld’s Kate Bishop was positioned as his likely successor. Before that, he played a central role in the Avengers films.

As of this writing, Renner has not publicly addressed Zhou’s allegations.

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