‘Rush Hour 4’ Director Brett Ratner Joins Trump on China Trip for Film Locations

Director Brett Ratner is reportedly set to accompany U.S. President Donald Trump on a significant trip to China, which is part of the early planning stages for the highly anticipated film ‘Rush Hour 4.’

This information was revealed in a report by the South China Morning Post, indicating that Ratner will be part of a larger delegation meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The group is expected to feature prominent business and tech leaders, including Elon Musk and Apple CEO Tim Cook.

According to the report, Ratner’s involvement in the trip is linked to initial production planning for ‘Rush Hour 4.’ He is anticipated to scout potential filming locations in China as part of the preparations for shooting the movie there.

Described as a high-level economic and diplomatic summit, the delegation reportedly includes executives from major global companies such as BlackRock, Blackstone, Mastercard, Boeing, and Meta. The visit aims to enhance relations between the United States and China following years of trade tensions.

The report also states that the revival of the ‘Rush Hour’ franchise has garnered interest from Trump, who is said to have advocated for a return of the series. The original films, featuring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker, were global hits in the late 1990s and 2000s.

Ratner is recognized for directing earlier Hollywood films like ‘Red Dragon,’ ‘The Family Man,’ and ‘Tower Heist.’ He also helmed the ‘Rush Hour’ films, which solidified his status as a major box office director during that era.

His career experienced a downturn following multiple allegations of sexual misconduct in 2017, which he has denied. Since then, he has largely stepped back from directing major Hollywood films.

Recently, he garnered attention with the documentary ‘Melania,’ focusing on First Lady Melania Trump. The film was acquired by Amazon for a reported $40 million deal, although it ultimately performed less favorably at the global box office. Amazon later noted that its streaming performance contributed to its overall success.

Now, as per the South China Morning Post report, Ratner is gearing up for what could be a significant comeback project with ‘Rush Hour 4.’ This film is expected to serve as a major test for him as he returns to a prominent Hollywood franchise.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!