- Hollywood First: Jeremy Renner is narrating “Stardust Future,” a groundbreaking animated feature described as the first of its kind to be created entirely with artificial intelligence.
- Post-Accident Return: The role marks a significant return to voice work for the actor following his near-fatal snowplow accident in 2023.
- Ambitious Themes: The film tackles heavy subjects like the climate crisis, conflict, and mortality, exploring whether advancing technology can coexist with nature.
- Charitable Cause: A portion of the movie’s revenue will be donated to Renner’s Rennervation Foundation and the Motion Picture and Television Fund.
A Bold New Era for Animation
In a move that is sure to spark debate across Hollywood, Jeremy Renner is lending his voice to “Stardust Future: Stars and Scars,” a feature film its creators claim is the first to be animated entirely using artificial intelligence. The film, slated for a November theatrical release, positions Renner as the Oracle of Time, a narrator guiding audiences through a sweeping story that travels from the dawn of the universe to the year 2080.
The project reunites Renner with filmmaker Yi Zhou, who is pioneering what she calls a new narrative approach that blends 2D and 3D AI-generated animation. This unique visual style is intended to mirror the film’s thematic contrasts between past and present, and imagination versus reality.
Humanity, Technology, and Healing
Zhou emphasizes that the film uses AI not to supplant human artists but to augment their abilities. “This is a film born from the intersection of human resilience and machine imagination,” Zhou stated. “I asked AI to tell me about our past and show me our future. My team and I used AI not as a replacement for creativity but as an extension of memory to heal what humanity has broken and to dream of what we will become.”
Drawing inspiration from Godfrey Reggio’s iconic “Qatsi” films, “Stardust Future” delves into profound questions about humanity’s path, examining our relationship with technology and the environment. The score itself is a blend of old and new, combining Zhou’s original compositions with the work of the late, legendary composer Ennio Morricone, rearranged by the Into the Sun Collective.
Star Power for a Groundbreaking Cause
The film also features a 3D digital rendering of fashion icon Diane von Fürstenberg. Beyond its technological ambitions, the project has a strong philanthropic core. A portion of its revenue will support two important charities: the Motion Picture and Television Fund, which is aiding entertainment workers affected by California wildfires, and Renner’s own Rennervation Foundation, an organization he established in 2024 to assist foster youth and others recovering from major losses.
Producers at Into the Sun Entertainment are already planning a major awards campaign, targeting multiple Oscar categories including animated feature, original score, and visual effects. This bold strategy signals immense confidence in a project that could either be a glimpse into the future of cinema or a controversial flashpoint in the ongoing conversation about AI’s role in creative industries.
Image Referance: https://variety.com/2025/film/news/jeremy-renner-ai-animated-feature-stardust-future-1236552226/