Brett Ratner boarded Air Force One with President Donald Trump for a trip to China to scout locations for 'Rush Hour 4', marking the director's return to narrative features since allegations of misconduct in 2017.
Trump's China Summit
President Trump left Edwards Air Force Base for a summit in Beijing, including a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Ratner, though not officially listed in the summit's delegation, accompanied the President, confirmed by Ratner's spokesperson, Victoria Palmer-Moore. Elon Musk was among the official attendees.
Return to Filmmaking
'Rush Hour 4' reunites Ratner with Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker, distributed by Paramount Pictures. Ratner's first major film break was the original 'Rush Hour' in 1998, followed by two sequels collectively grossing over $850 million worldwide. Paramount, despite not financing the new installment, referred location inquiries to Ratner's RatPac Entertainment.
Ellison's Influence
In November 2025, Trump encouraged Larry Ellison to support Ratner amid controversy. David Ellison, newly owning Paramount, is aiming to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery. Trump's approval of CBS News's conservative changes under Ellison aligns with his interests, particularly regarding CNN's future.
Past Projects and Controversy
Ratner directed 'Melania', a documentary on First Lady Melania Trump, earning $16.4 million domestically and streaming on Prime Video. In January, Ratner denied using the project for a comeback, emphasizing his focus on 'Rush Hour 4'.
Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/brett-ratner-rush-hour-4-trump-china-scout-locations-1236594173/
