Renner Issues Cease-and-Desist to Zhou Over AI Film Use

Actor Jeremy Renner has issued a cease-and-desist letter to filmmaker Yi Zhou, accusing her of defamation and unauthorized use of his name, likeness, and voice in connection with an AI-animated film project. The letter, dated November 7, 2025, demands that Zhou halt such uses and warns of potential multimillion-dollar legal liability. The action escalates a public dispute that began earlier this month when Zhou accused Renner of sending her unsolicited explicit images and threatening to contact immigration authorities after she confronted him about his behavior.

Zhou, a 37-year-old Chinese filmmaker, first leveled her allegations against the 54-year-old actor in a series of Instagram posts on November 3, 2025. She claimed that Renner contacted her in June 2025 via direct messages and WhatsApp, sending personal photographs followed by a string of unsolicited pornographic images of himself. Zhou stated that she initially believed Renner was sincere about pursuing a long-term relationship, describing their connection as one built on "the power of love and the possibility of redemption." However, she alleged that when she privately addressed his past misconduct and requested he...