Actor Jeremy Renner is the narrator for a new animated movie titled “Stardust Future: Stars and Scars,” which its creators say is the first feature-length film made entirely with artificial intelligence. The movie, scheduled for a theatrical release in November, features Renner in the role of a character called the Oracle of Time.
The project is directed by filmmaker Yi Zhou and produced by her company, Into the Sun Entertainment. This film marks a significant return to voice acting for Renner following his recovery from a serious snowplow accident in early 2023.
Key Takeaways
- Jeremy Renner will narrate the AI-animated feature film “Stardust Future: Stars and Scars.”
- The film is described by its production company as the first feature created entirely using artificial intelligence.
- A portion of the film's revenue will be donated to Renner’s Rennervation Foundation and the Motion Picture and Television Fund.
- The project is directed by multimedia artist Yi Zhou and aims for an awards campaign in multiple Oscar categories.
Film Details and Production
“Stardust Future” presents a narrative that spans from the beginning of the universe to the year 2080. Jeremy Renner’s character, the Oracle of Time, guides the audience through this expansive timeline. The film explores complex themes such as the climate crisis, human conflict, mortality, and the balance between technological progress and the natural world.
The production is led by Yi Zhou’s company, Into the Sun Entertainment, which is described as a female-led, Asian American and Pacific Islander-founded organization. The company has announced plans to launch a significant awards campaign for the film, targeting several Academy Award categories, including Animated Feature, Original Score, and Visual Effects.
A Unique Animation Approach
According to the filmmakers, “Stardust Future” utilizes a unique blend of 2D and 3D animation techniques generated entirely by artificial intelligence. Yi Zhou has reportedly trademarked this method as a distinct narrative style. The visual style is intended to shift in correspondence with the film's themes, contrasting concepts like past and present or imagination and reality.
The company asserts that no previous feature film has used AI to create an entire movie with this specific combined animation style. This positions the project as a potential milestone in the application of AI within the film industry.
Background on AI in Filmmaking
While artificial intelligence has been used for years in specific aspects of filmmaking, such as visual effects, color grading, and editing, the concept of an entire feature-length film being generated by AI is a new frontier. This development raises questions and discussions around creativity, authorship, and the future role of human artists in the production process.
Creative Team and Collaborations
The film is a reunion for Jeremy Renner and director Yi Zhou, who previously worked together on the documentary “Chronicles of Disney.” Zhou is a Chinese multimedia artist whose work has been featured in prominent international venues like the Venice Biennale, Sundance Film Festival, and Cannes Film Festival.
The project also includes a digital appearance by fashion designer Diane von Fürstenberg, who is rendered as a 3D character in the film. The musical score is another key element, combining original compositions by Zhou with rearranged music from the late, celebrated composer Ennio Morricone. The rearrangements were handled by the Into the Sun Collective.
“This is a film born from the intersection of human resilience and machine imagination,” Yi Zhou stated. “I asked AI to tell me about our past and show me our future.”
Zhou emphasized that the technology was used as a tool to augment, not replace, human creativity. She described her vision as building an “immortalityscape,” where art, memory, and technology merge to transcend time.
Philanthropic and Thematic Goals
A significant aspect of the film's release is its commitment to charity. A portion of the revenue generated by “Stardust Future” will be donated to two foundations. The first is Jeremy Renner’s Rennervation Foundation, which was established in 2024 to support foster youth and victims of major losses, such as wildfires.
The second beneficiary is the Motion Picture and Television Fund. This organization provides support to workers in the entertainment industry, with a focus for this initiative on those affected by the recent California wildfires.
Inspiration and Themes
The film draws inspiration from the experimental “Qatsi” trilogy by director Godfrey Reggio and the minimalist music of composer Philip Glass. It aims to engage with philosophical questions about humanity's future and its relationship with technology.
Director’s Vision for AI
Director Yi Zhou has been vocal about her perspective on using artificial intelligence in art. She views AI not as a threat to human creativity but as a powerful new tool.
“AI is a tool for humanity, not to replace human creativity,” Zhou explained. “It enhances our possibilities... I am inspired by its positive potential for the future, as long as we make a safe and respectful use of it.”
Her production company, Into the Sun Entertainment, operates from Los Angeles, Rome, and Hong Kong. The company’s mission includes a focus on elevating marginalized voices both in front of and behind the camera, aiming to bring diverse perspectives to its film, music, and AI content.
Renner's involvement in a project with both technological innovation and a strong charitable component aligns with his recent focus on philanthropy alongside his acting career. His voice role as the Oracle of Time will be central to the film's unique, AI-driven narrative.