Director Brett Ratner, known for his sometimes controversial work and recently releasing a documentary about Melania Trump, is back in the news due to reported connections with Jeffrey Epstein.
A photo released by the Department of Justice as part of its investigation into Epstein shows Ken Ratner sitting on a couch with a woman whose face is obscured. She’s next to Epstein and another woman, also hidden from view, at the other end of the couch. The location and date the photo was taken are unknown.
A well-known filmmaker is one of many prominent figures from entertainment, tech, politics, and business – including Casey Wasserman, who leads the L.A. Olympics organization – whose information appeared in millions of files recently released by the Justice Department.
Hollywood Inc.
How once-exiled filmmaker Brett Ratner staged a Hollywood comeback with ‘Melania’
Brett Ratner, once a highly successful movie director known for films like ‘Rush Hour,’ faced career setbacks following accusations during the #MeToo movement. However, with backing from President Trump and reportedly Melania Trump, he is now making a comeback.
In 2019, Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide while in jail in Manhattan. He was awaiting trial on charges of sex trafficking at the time.
Okay, so digging through these newly released files, I’m seeing a lot of mentions of director Brett Ratner. Apparently, Epstein was really trying to get connected with him, and the emails show they moved in similar social circles – a lot of overlapping names and events. It paints a picture of them being part of the same inner circle, and Epstein clearly saw value in a connection with Ratner.
This isn’t the first time Ratner has been connected to Epstein. A photo of him was previously found in documents released by the department back in December.
The photo shows Ratner sitting and embracing Jean-Luc Brunel, a French modeling agent who was connected to Epstein. The date the photo was taken is unknown.
In 2022, Brunel died in a French prison, seemingly by suicide, while facing accusations of raping a minor.
Ratner has not been accused of any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein.
A spokesperson for the director did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
On Monday’s episode of “Piers Morgan Uncensored,” Ratner explained that the photo circulating online was taken roughly 20 years ago. He identified the woman in the picture as his former fiancée – whom he chose not to name – and said she had invited him to the event where it was taken.
He stated on the show that he had no contact with Jeffrey Epstein, either before or after the photograph was taken.
California
Recently released documents related to Jeffrey Epstein include private emails between Casey Wasserman, who leads the organization for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, and Ghislaine Maxwell, a convicted sex offender. Wasserman released a statement on Saturday saying he regrets any connection to either of them, and that the emails were sent before Maxwell’s crimes were publicly known.
In December 2010, an email from Epstein mentions a dinner he was planning for 7:30 PM, and notes that he’d invited Ratner but hadn’t received a response yet.
Reports surfaced in December 2010 detailing a dinner hosted by Jeffrey Epstein at his Manhattan home shortly after his release from prison and house arrest for soliciting a minor. Notable guests included Woody Allen and Prince Andrew.
A year after the initial contact, Epstein’s assistant emailed Ratner, asking him to call about a confidential matter. It’s unknown if Ratner responded to the request.
In a 2018 email with many parts blacked out, Jeffrey Epstein introduced himself to someone, mentioning that Brett Ratner had suggested they connect. He then sent a follow-up email asking if Ratner had already been in touch with this person.
During the 2012 Cannes Film Festival, Peggy Siegal, a well-known publicist often seen at award shows, emailed Jeffrey Epstein. She mentioned she was with film producer Steve Ratner about to watch a documentary by Roman Polanski, and added that Brett Ratner sent his greetings and affection to Epstein.
Siegal also shared party guest lists and yacht accommodations in emails to Epstein. She mentioned Ratner, noting he was staying with his business associate, Australian billionaire James Packer, while both were in St. Barts.
Following Jeffrey Epstein’s 2019 arrest on sex trafficking charges, attention turned to Siegal’s connection with him, especially her role in helping him reintegrate into society after he served time in prison.
She told the Hollywood Reporter that if she’d known he was accused of harming young girls, she wouldn’t have stayed friends with him.
Siegal could not be immediately reached for comment.
Following the publication of a New York Times investigation on November 1, 2017, detailing accusations of sexual misconduct against Brett Ratner by six women, Jeffrey Epstein emailed his lawyer, Reid Weingarten, simply stating: “brett ratner now oy.”
Nine years ago, director Brett Ratner’s career stalled when The Times published accusations from several women detailing instances of harassment, groping, and forced sexual acts. Actress Olivia Munn alleged that Ratner exposed himself and masturbated in front of her while she was delivering food to his trailer during the filming of the 2004 movie, “After the Sunset.”
The director’s lawyer, Martin Singer, immediately dismissed the accusations, stating his client strongly denied the damaging claims made against him.
Ratner was dropped by his agency, WME, and his publicist, and his ongoing projects were cancelled. He also ended his relationship with Warner Bros.
He released a statement saying he doesn’t want his personal problems to affect the studio in any way until they are taken care of.
In 2020, Ryan Ratner was caught up in a new Hollywood scandal connected to actress Charlotte Kirk.
In a legal statement, Kirk alleged that Kevin Tsujihara, then the CEO of Warner Bros., along with Brett Ratner, James Packer, and Avi Lerner, the CEO of Millennium Films, forced her into providing sexual services for them and their colleagues as a form of business exchange.
The singer, representing the men, strongly denied any claims of wrongdoing by his clients.
“Melania” marks director Ratner’s return to filmmaking after a period of being ostracized by Hollywood. While critics have given the documentary negative reviews and raised concerns about Amazon’s $75 million investment for distribution and marketing, it surprisingly earned $7.1 million during its opening weekend – a better result than anticipated.
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2026-02-03 02:31