Director Brett Ratner, known for films like “Rush Hour” and “X-Men: The Last Stand,” will join President Donald Trump on a trip to China, according to the South China Morning Post. Ratner is planning to scout locations for “Rush Hour 4,” which he aims to shoot in China.
Ratner’s China Plans
The “Rush Hour” franchise, featuring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker, is reportedly a favorite of Trump’s. The President personally requested Paramount to revive the series. Ratner, who also directed the documentary “Melania,” is expected to leverage this trip to lay the groundwork for his latest project.
High-Profile Delegation
Trump’s delegation includes tech and business heavyweights: Elon Musk of Tesla, Apple’s Tim Cook, Larry Fink from BlackRock, Dina Powell McCormick of Meta, Blackstone’s Stephen Schwarzman, Mastercard's Michael Miebach, and Boeing’s Kelly Ortberg. The group aims to mend frayed relations with Beijing amidst trade tensions and Middle East conflicts.
Ratner’s Controversial Past
Ratner’s career faced a downturn in 2017 after accusations of sexual misconduct emerged, all of which he denies. Despite this, Ratner is pushing forward with “Rush Hour 4,” marking his return to feature films. The stakes are high as he attempts to rebuild his reputation in Hollywood.
Amazon’s Investment in Ratner
Amazon picked up Ratner’s “Melania” documentary for $40 million, leading to criticism for potentially overpaying to gain favor with Trump. The film grossed $16 million globally, but Amazon highlighted its performance on Prime Video as a success story. Ratner’s upcoming film is expected to be pivotal in his comeback.
A spokesperson for Ratner did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Source: https://variety.com/2026/film/news/rush-hour-4-director-brett-ratner-china-trip-trump-1236747014/
