Film director Brett Ratner, known for the Rush Hour franchise and a documentary on Melania Trump, is accompanying President Donald Trump on his trip to China for a summit with President Xi Jinping. The trip, which includes high-stakes talks on economic and geopolitical issues such as Iran and Taiwan, also features CEOs and top executives from major US tech and finance firms, including Apple's Tim Cook, Tesla's Elon Musk, and BlackRock's Larry Fink.
Trump's Support for Ratner
Trump, reportedly a huge fan of the Rush Hour movies, has allowed Ratner to make a comeback in Hollywood after being sidelined due to accusations of sexual misconduct during the #MeToo movement in 2017. Ratner denies all allegations. His spokesperson, Victoria Palmer-Moore, stated that Ratner will use the trip to scout for filming locations for the upcoming Rush Hour 4, planning to shoot a significant portion of the film in China.
Background on Rush Hour Franchise
The original Rush Hour was a major success in 1998, topping US box office charts. Its sequel, Rush Hour 2, also achieved huge commercial success in 2001, before the critically and commercially disappointing Rush Hour 3 in 2007. Despite rumors of a fourth film circulating for nearly two decades, with actor Jackie Chan suggesting in 2017 that he and Chris Tucker had agreed on a new script, development stalled until Trump intervened in late 2025.
In November 2025, Trump encouraged billionaire Larry Ellison, the primary financial force behind Paramount Skydance, to revive the franchise once Paramount's controversial acquisition of Warner Bros was completed. However, that deal remains unconfirmed, as hundreds of Hollywood actors and directors have called for regulators to block the acquisition over fears of job cuts and a reduced movie slate.
Ratner's Recent Work
In 2026, Ratner released the Amazon-backed documentary Melania, which followed the first lady during the 20 days before Trump's second inauguration. The documentary was a critical and commercial flop, grossing $16.7 million against a production budget of $40 million. It was Ratner's first film in over a decade.
Trump's support has been pivotal in Ratner's return to prominence, despite the controversies surrounding him. The China trip marks a significant step in revitalizing the Rush Hour franchise, which has been dormant for years.
