Brett Ratner, the filmmaker who directed the Amazon-backed documentary on first lady Melania Trump, boarded Air Force One on Tuesday as part of President Trump's delegation to China. His mission: to scout filming locations for Rush Hour 4, the next installment in the buddy-cop comedy franchise, multiple news outlets confirmed.
Ratner traveled alongside Cabinet members, tech executives, and corporate CEOs in a delegation that underscores the mix of diplomacy and business on Trump's Beijing visit. The trip, which covers Iran, trade, Taiwan, prisoners, and AI, also offers a unique platform for Ratner to advance a major Hollywood project.
His spokeswoman, Victoria Palmer-Moore, told the Washington Post that Ratner will spend three days overseas, holding meetings with crew members, actors, and potential Chinese distribution partners. The film is expected to be shot largely in China, according to Palmer-Moore.
The Rush Hour franchise, starring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker as mismatched police detectives, last hit theaters in 2007 with Rush Hour 3, which grossed $258 million on a $140 million budget. The upcoming sequel has a reported budget exceeding $100 million, according to Puck.
Ratner's involvement in the Trump administration's inner circle comes amid his return to high-profile projects after a period of controversy. In 2017, multiple women accused him of sexual harassment and misconduct, allegations he has denied. Melania, his documentary on the first lady, cost approximately $75 million to produce and market and marked his first major project since those accusations.
This trip is the latest example of Trump blending political and business interests during international visits. The White House and Ratner's production representative did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
While Ratner scouts locations, the political landscape at home remains turbulent. Trump recently appointed a fourth acting FEMA chief amid agency turmoil, and his push for redistricting in South Carolina was rejected by state Senate Republicans. Meanwhile, the president's Beijing agenda includes high-stakes talks on trade and security.
