The Strange Story Behind Jeremy Renner's Failed App

Jeremy Renner is certainly one of Hollywood's most recognizable faces, boasting a prolific filmography and two Academy Award nominations. First gaining traction as a character actor in acclaimed indies like "North Country" and "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford," Renner's career quickly gained steam after 2008's "The Hurt Locker." Nominated for his first Oscar for the war drama, Renner then starred in — within two years of each other — "The Town," "Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol," "The Avengers," and "The Bourne Legacy." Of course, his Marvel Cinematic Universe role as Hawkeye has easily amassed the most fans. 

Some more devoted fans might also know Renner from his musical career (which, albeit, is much more lowkey than his acting one). In 2019, the multitalented entertainer embarked on a rock career, releasing five singles that year. "Believer" was featured on the "Arctic Dogs" soundtrack and his "House of the Rising Sun" cover on 2022's third season of "The Umbrella Academy." Proving as prolific musically as he is in front of the camera, Renner released two full-length albums, both in 2020. 

Ever the Renaissance man, it only makes sense that Renner would have had his own Android and iOS fan app — and been one of the first celebrities to do so.

Jeremy Renner's now-defunct app was supposed to be a safe space for diehard fans, but trolls got the last word instead. Teaming up with tech company EscapeX, Renner launched "Jeremy Renner Official" in 2017 to create a community away from the rest of social media, per Polygon. As the outlet's screenshots show, the app's default format looked pretty much like, well... a Jeremy Renner-centric Instagram. The more a fan liked and commented on Renner's posts, the more of a "Superstar" one became, according to the Los Angeles Times. "Superstar" badges boosted user comments' likelihood to "#BeSeen" by Renner. Such badges could also be purchased; the otherwise-free app touted purchases for exclusive content and contests, ranging from $1.99 to $394.99. It also included a separate, forum-like feed for the so-called "#RenHive" to bond over their fandom together.

Interest in the Renner app mellowed out for a while — until the concurrent releases of "Avengers: Endgame" and two of his singles in 2019. Interest spiked again dramatically, per Polygon. The app's mainstream popularity took a turn, however, with trolls making accounts to impersonate Renner and other public figures (including Jeffrey Epstein). With the negativity disrupting the experience for the true #RenHive, Renner shut the app down in September 2019, announcing, "What was supposed to be a place for fans to connect with each other has turned into a place that is everything I detest and can't or won't condone." Revive the #RenHive, we say! 

Jeremy Renner's former app isn't the only surprising facet of his professional life. Alongside business partner Kristoffer Winters, the two-time Oscar nominee has been in the business of flipping houses since 2002, per Yahoo! Entertainment. Having just scored his first studio film role in "S.W.A.T." opposite Colin Farrell, Renner and Winters invested in a 1962 house in Los Angeles' Nichols Canyon for $659,000. Less than one year later, they had sold the home for $900,000. The duo's next flip was even more profitable, selling a $915,000 1940 house post-renovation for $2.4 million. "It just kept growing and growing," Renner told The Wrap in 2009. "And now, 12 houses later, I make more money doing that than I do as an actor." The two actors' flipping prowess peaked in 2013 when they sold a 1920s-style Art Deco mansion, purchased for $7 million, for a whopping $24 million.

As of 2017, Renner and Winters had reportedly purchased and remodeled more than 20 homes, per Realtor.com. Becoming a Hollywood A-lister after starring roles in "The Avengers" and "Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol," Renner no longer needs his supplemental income. (His net worth is estimated at $80 million). Still, the "Wind River" actor is grateful for "these humbling experiences." Not being able to pay rent elsewhere during renovations, he recalled "running over to Starbucks to brush our teeth" and then flying to France for a film premiere. "My life was a little surreal," he admitted.