The director of the film “Melania” about the First Lady of the United States, Brett Ratner, has traveled with U.S. President Donald Trump to China, where he is scouting locations for the fourth installment of the comedy franchise “Rush Hour.” This was reported by The Washington Post.
Source: Bukvy
According to the publication, Ratner boarded the presidential aircraft Air Force One on May 12 as part of the official delegation of the Trump administration, which also included government members, representatives of technology companies, and executives of major corporations.
The director’s spokesperson, Victoria Palmer-Moore, confirmed that during the trip he is scouting locations for the new “Rush Hour” film.
According to China Morning Post, Ratner is expected to stay in China for about three days. During this time, he plans to meet with the film crew, actors, and potential Chinese distribution partners.
It is also reported that most of the new film is planned to be shot in China.
The budget for the fourth “Rush Hour” film is estimated at over $100 million. The previous installment of the franchise was released in 2007 and grossed $258 million worldwide.
It is also noted that Ratner’s previous project — the film “Melania,” sponsored by Amazon — cost about $75 million and marked his first major project since the 2017 scandals, when several women accused the director of harassment. Ratner denies the allegations.