"After President Donald Trump's reported intervention, Paramount Pictures is set to distribute Brett Ratner's "Rush Hour 4," a project that Hollywood had eschewed after earlier sexual misconduct allegations against the director. Paramount Pictures on Tuesday was in closing talks to distribute the film, according to a person close to the negotiations who requested anonymity because they weren't authorized to announce a deal. Paramount would be stepping in to take a distribution fee on the film, not finance it."
"In 2017, during the #MeToo movement, six women said Ratner sexually harassed them in a Los Angeles Times report. Warner Bros., which had a $450-million co-financing deal with his production company, severed ties with Ratner. Ratner, who denied the allegations, hasn't produced a film this decade. But on Sunday, Semafor reported that Trump personally requested Paramount take on "Rush Hour 4." Paramount recently merged with Skydance in a $8 billion deal that required regulatory approval from the Trump administration."
"Ratner had been shopping "Rush Hour 4" after Warner Bros., which released the three previous films in the franchise, passed on the project. The movie would reteam Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker in the action-comedy series launched in 1998, with sequels in 2001 and 2007. Ratner has managed to get one other film made: a documentary on first lady Melania Trump. Earlier this year, Amazon MGM Studios acquired the film for a reported $40 million. It's set to open in theaters Jan. 30."
Paramount Pictures is in closing talks to distribute Rush Hour 4 and would take a distribution fee rather than finance the film. Brett Ratner faced six sexual harassment accusations in 2017, prompting Warner Bros. to sever a $450-million co-financing relationship; Ratner denies the allegations and has not produced a film this decade. President Donald Trump personally requested that Paramount take on Rush Hour 4. Paramount recently completed an $8 billion merger with Skydance that required approval from the Trump administration. Ratner previously produced a Melania Trump documentary acquired by Amazon MGM for about $40 million, opening Jan. 30.
#paramount-pictures #brett-ratner #rush-hour-franchise #sexual-misconduct-allegations #trump-intervention
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