LOS ANGELES — Months after nearly being killed in a snowplow accident, “Avengers” star Jeremy Renner triumphantly walked the premiere red carpet of his Disney+ series “Rennervations” Tuesday. Using a cane for support, Renner even stopped to meet well-wishing fans.
Inside the Regency Village Theater, Renner rode a motorized scooter to the stage for a “Rennervations” discussion with late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, receiving a standing ovation from the audience.
“What’s with the scooter? Did something happen?” Kimmel joked as Renner took his seat to discuss the series (which streams its first three episodes Wednesday).
Renner was crushed by his 14,000-pound snowplow near his Nevada home on New Year’s Day while trying to help free his nephew’s car from the snow. He broke more than 30 bones while suffering a collapsed lung and pierced liver in the accident, the 52-year-old actor told Diane Sawyer last week in his first TV interview since the accident.
Jeremy Renner:Details snowcat accident in first TV interview: ‘It’s my mistake and I paid for it’
Speaking at Tuesday’s premiere, executive producer Romilda De Luca said Renner immediately brought up “Rennervations” from the hospital intensive care unit after the near-fatal accident.
“One of the first things Jeremy said is, ‘Do not move the show,'” said De Luca.
Renner used the premiere date to help inspire his extensive injury rehabilitation, which is still in process.
“This show set the milestone for me to to get better, to make sure that all of our hard work wasn’t for nothing,” said Renner. “There was no alternative. So for me, it was easy. There was somewhere to go, somewhere to point and I had a lot of love.”
In “Rennervations,” Renner and a team of expert builders reimagine decommissioned vehicles and rebuild them into unique and practical creations that serve communities around the world.
Kimmel, who had the first late-night interview since the accident with Renner this week, jokingly asked if the actor would “repurpose that (expletive) snow blower or something?”
“It’s a snowcat,” Renner said, adding that his mother “wants to light it on fire and have a big old party.” But that wasn’t going to happen.
“I love this thing and it’s a necessity with these giant snowstorms,” Renner added. “I just need to learn how to drive it better.”
Renner gave thanks to his family, including his 10-year-old daughter Ava, and friends in the premiere audience, who had made his improbable recovery from the accident a reality.
“Some of the people who were part of saving my life and keeping me alive to breathe are here,” said Renner, breaking up with emotion. “A lot of people are here to support the living part of this. That starts with my family and my daughter.”
Renner added that his daughter came up with an “awesome” future “Rennervations” project.
“It’s an ambulance and she wanted to turn it into a mobile pet adoption clinic,” said Renner. “She drew up the plans and it’s amazing.”
Renner’s show co-host, business partner and friend Rory Millikin said that a positive side of the terrible ordeal is that more people are learning about Renner and the good work of “Rennerverations.”
“Jeremy is a very private person, but for the first time you get to see what a big heart he has,” said Millikin. “He’s doing this show to inspire people to look around their neighborhood and help organizations. That you can have an impact even if you’re not a superhero. That’s the show’s message. And that’s why we love this guy and when he gets hurt, everyone rallies around and puts their life on pause. Because he’s worth it.”