Last we checked in with Brett Ratner, he was part of a pitch circulating around Hollywood for “Rush Hour 4.” He directed the first three films, but THR reported that Ratner’s involvement was “a nonstarter for several studios,” including Paramount and Sony, which were offered the package.
Ratner hasn’t worked in Hollywood for the past seven years. In 2017, at the height of #MeToo, he faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct and harassment. He was immediately dropped by his agency. Ratner has strongly denied all allegations, and no charges were ever brought against him.
However, one studio willing to work with Ratner is Amazon, and they’re now teaming up with him on—of all things—a Melania Trump documentary, which will be co-produced by the former First Lady herself.
Amazon MGM Studios has now set “Melania” for an exclusive theatrical release on January 30, 2026. Along with the date reveal, the studio unveiled a first-look image showing the former First Lady gazing out at an airport tarmac from the window of an SUV.
According to the official description, the film “offers unprecedented access to the 20 days leading up to the 2025 Presidential Inauguration — through the eyes of the First Lady-elect herself.” Amazon MGM also invites viewers to “step inside Melania Trump’s world as she orchestrates inauguration plans, navigates the complexities of the White House transition, and reenters public life with her family.” The studio said it has “exclusive footage” of “critical meetings” and “private conversations.”
Friends of Ratner told Variety that, when it came to a comeback, he “saw a pathway back by directing a documentary.” Much to his surprise, Amazon quickly signed on to the project even while it was still filming.
It’s not as though Ratner hasn’t tried to return to Hollywood since the allegations surfaced more than seven years ago. In 2021, he was set to direct a longtime passion project — a biopic about the disgraced R&B duo Milli Vanilli. However, intense backlash, including a strong condemnation from Time’s Up, ultimately forced him to drop out.
It’s unclear how Ratner persuaded Melania to entrust him with her life story, but one of his last films, “Tower Heist,” notably used Trump Tower as its primary location.
Of course, we all know the rule: take these reactions with a grain of salt rather than treating them as gospel. Still, I will say that the film tested like gangbusters earlier this year, and Lionsgate clearly has confidence.