Melania Trump Documentary Director Brett Ratner's Next Project Has Trump's Personal Interest — and a Growing List of Problems

Rush Hour 4 is one of the highly anticipated movies, but unfortunately, it is on hold. The production is far from ready. Brett Ratner, who also directed MELANIA, based on Melania Trump, was set to return with this movie.

President Donald Trump himself encouraged the project, but despite all these, the movie seems to be facing delays.

According to Puck, production was expected to begin this spring and summer but has since been pushed back without a publicly stated reason. Several international locations had already been confirmed before the delay was announced

But the biggest issue sits right at the center of the film. The stars aren’t signed. Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker, the faces of the franchise, have not agreed to join the film. Reports say both actors turned down initial offers of $8 million each. The offer represents a significant reduction from their reported $20 million each for Rush Hour 3.

There’s another detail raising eyebrows. Neither actor has been offered a “pay-or-play” deal, the kind of agreement that guarantees payment even if a project falls apart. Industry insiders point to that as a sign of uncertainty. "This can be a sign that financing is not locked," Puck's Matthew Belloni wrote.

He adds: “It’s unclear if the planned $115 million to $120 million in production financing is solidly lined up.” According to reports, the film has drawn direct interest from President Trump, who sources say "personally pressed" Paramount CEO David Ellison to accelerate the project.

Ellison, currently navigating a major $111 billion merger process that requires federal approval, has been mentioned in connection with the push. At the same time, the film is tied to Ratner’s attempted return to the spotlight. The director stepped back from Hollywood after multiple women, including actress Olivia Munn, accused him of s----- misconduct.

Besides, recently he directed a popular documentary that focused on the first lady. The documentary grossed more than $16 million at the box office. While $16 million might appear modest for a wide release, the film was reportedly produced on a $70 million budget, including $30 million in marketing.

The production also saw reactions from within. At the premiere, reports indicated that a significant number of New York crew members asked to have their names removed from the credits. Some crew members spoke anonymously about their experience. “Unfortunately, if it does flop, I would really feel great about it,” one crew member told Rolling Stone.

Another said, “I feel a little bit uncomfortable with the propaganda element of this.” Ratner’s past associations have also remained part of the wider conversation. He has appeared in photographs alongside Jeffrey Epstein, according to report. When asked about one image during an interview with Piers Morgan, Ratner responded: “Oh, well, that particular picture, that picture in particular, happened around 20 years ago.”

He continued, “I had never been in contact with Jeffrey Epstein before that photo, and I was never in contact with him after. So that’s a picture of my fiancée and me at some event.”

With no confirmed cast, no locked start date and financing questions still unresolved, Rush Hour 4 remains more of a proposal than a production