The Rush Hour lore is reportedly returning to the screens with Rush Hour 4, but there’s some controversial news attached to it as well: Brett Ratner is reportedly returning as well. While that comes from insider sources, fans aren’t exactly happy about it because of the director-producer’s controversial past.

For those who might not know, Ratner has been linked to the late financier and child s*x trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. In December 2025, a photo released as part of the Epstein files showed him posing with Jean-Luc Brunel, one of Epstein’s associates (via PEOPLE). Then, just last month, further released images showed Ratner in close association with the serial r*pist and him pictured inappropriately with multiple women (via CBS News).

Almost a decade prior to this, Ratner was accused of r-pe by a former talent agency employee in October 2017, during the MeToo movement (via Variety ). A few weeks later, six other women came forward to allege him of s*x*al ass**lt and h*r*ssment, as well as following an actress into a bathroom without invitation and m*st*rb*ting as another actress entered his trailer to deliver food (via The Los Angeles Times).

That same month, Elliot Page accused Ratner of s*x*al harassment and outing him as a lesbian in front of many onlookers. This story was even confirmed by Anna Paquin (via CBC). And if that wasn’t enough, a former fashion model came forward with similar accusations as well, regarding an incident involving Russell Simmons and Ratner back in 1991, when the former allegedly coerced her to perform oral s*x in Ratner’s presence (via THR).

While these allegations led to him stepping away from all WB-related activities, the director-producer still vehemently denied the 2017 allegations of s-xual harassment and assault against him (via BBC News).

Meanwhile, Jackie Chan’s Rush Hour 4 is Heading to Pre-Production

According to the latest reports from TMZ, pre-production is soon set to start on Rush Hour 4 within weeks, which will also reportedly cement Brett Ratner’s return to Hollywood. This comes after the movie was greenlit in November 2025, shortly after President Donald Trump’s statement on emphasizing the need for there to be another Rush Hour flick.

Apparently, shooting is scheduled to take place on the movie this fall, with both Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker attached to star. But while the franchise returning to the screens after almost two decades is surprising, what’s even more mind-boggling is Ratner’s return to Hollywood after he was banished from the industry in 2017 amid those allegations against him.

It’s worth noting, though, that Ratner recently helmed the record-breaking First Lady documentary Melania, and will also return as the director and co-producer of Rush Hour 4.

Fans Aren’t Happy About Brett Ratner’s Return in Rush Hour 4

Brett Ratner. | Credits: Image by David Shankbone / Licensed under CC by SA 3.0 / Via Wikimedia Commons.

Unfortunately for Ratner, fans aren’t really happy – neither about his return to the director’s chair, nor about the upcoming fourth Rush Hour movie. While the former comes with a lot of them calling him ‘a s*x*al predator’, backlash about the latter is connected to the fact that this new Rush Hour film is coming in the wake of Trump expressing his desire for it.

Thus, on X, here’s how fans are reacting to the same:

Hollywood welcoming back a sexual predator like Ratner. Disgusting. https://t.co/HI1HbyZbB6— Films to Films (@filmstofilms_) February 5, 2026

this is all cus Trump’s cut some kind of deal with Ratner, he used melania as a bribe from Amazon and he’s demanded rush hour 4 which Paramount, run by maga loyalists, of course will be distributing prob ratner asked for this after doing melania— Ozzy (@offmodescarab) February 6, 2026

isnt this movie happening after trump said he wanted another one?— mrs abigail (@yuriadvocate) February 6, 2026

Honestly says more that Chan and Tucker are on board for this.— Space Cowboy (@spikespeigel) February 6, 2026

Trickle down effect of the U.S Presidency.— ℕ𝕚𝕖𝕥𝕫𝕤𝕔𝕙𝕖’𝕤 Eternal Recurrence.🔁 (@AtheismJesus) February 6, 2026

Rat is in the name.— Tad (@adilator) February 6, 2026

Nobody’s watching that bullshit I promise you— DripHamilton (@Comicgeneous1) February 6, 2026

Hollywood(sexual predators, pdfs, 90% democrats) welcoming back a sexual predator like Ratner. Normal.— Usul Rants (@MovieBuffBoyZac) February 6, 2026

While that’s that, it remains to be seen when exactly Rush Hour 4 will hit the screens and how it will be received by fans, at this point. What do you think about it? Do you feel it will be a hit or a flop? Whatever your thoughts and opinions on this may be, make sure to share them with us in the comments below.
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