Hollywood Director Brett Ratner Clarifies 'Crazy' Epstein Photo Appearance
Hollywood director Brett Ratner has publicly addressed his unexpected appearance in photos released as part of the US Department of Justice's latest Jeffrey Epstein file dump. The images, which have sparked widespread media attention, show Ratner embracing a woman whose identity was redacted, with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and another redacted woman nearby.
Ratner's Explanation of the Controversial Photo
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Ratner, known for directing blockbusters like the Rush Hour franchise and X-Men: The Last Stand, provided a detailed account of the circumstances. He explained that the mystery woman in the picture was an unnamed former fiancée from about two decades ago.
'About 20 years ago, I had a girlfriend. I was in love with her. We were engaged. She was my fiancée. We went to an event, and we were sitting on the couch, and the photo was taken at that event,' Ratner stated. He emphasised that he 'didn't have a personal relationship with him' and 'didn't know him,' referring to Epstein, who died in custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges.
Ratner further clarified, 'And that's where the picture was taken. I didn't remember because I had been asked in the past, 'Do you know him?' And I'm like, 'I don't think so, because I didn't have a personal relationship with him.' My fiancée invited me to that event. At the time, the girl in the picture was my fiancée. And that's it. That's all.' He concluded by expressing frustration, saying, 'You get thrown into these things. It's crazy. It's horrible.'
Background on Ratner's Personal and Professional Life
Ratner has been in high-profile relationships in the past, including with tennis star Serena Williams from 2004 to 2006 and a long-term relationship with actress Rebecca Gayheart since their teenage years. His career has also been marked by controversy, with six women, including actress Olivia Munn and Natasha Henstridge, accusing him of sexual assault and harassment in 2017. Ratner's lawyer denied all allegations at the time.
His most recent project, the documentary Melania, which explores the 20 days before President Donald Trump's second inauguration from the first lady's perspective, was released on 30 January. This film marks Ratner's first major movie since the 2017 allegations and since 2014's Hercules starring Dwayne Johnson.
Box Office Performance and Critical Reception of 'Melania'
Melania has generated significant discussion, both commercially and critically. In the US, it outperformed box office expectations, earning roughly $7 million (£5.1 million) domestically during its opening weekend. However, it is reportedly the most expensive documentary ever made, with Amazon thought to have spent $40 million (£29 million) on the rights and an additional $35 million (£25.5 million) on marketing.
In the UK, the film opened at number 29 on the box office chart, with an overall taking of £32,974. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a critic score of just 6%, placing it below infamous flops like the 2019 film Cats. Reviews have been harsh, with The Guardian giving it one star and calling it 'pure, endless hell,' while The Independent described it as 'ghastly propaganda' and portrayed the first lady as a 'preening, scowling void of pure nothingness.' In contrast, audience reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, with a 99% score from viewers.
Context of the Epstein Files Release
The photo of Ratner was part of a larger release by the American DOJ, which included millions of documents linked to Jeffrey Epstein. This dump has implicated various high-profile figures, adding to the ongoing public and legal scrutiny surrounding Epstein's network. Ratner's explanation comes amid a broader media frenzy, with other celebrities and public figures also being named in the files.
As the story develops, Ratner's comments aim to distance himself from Epstein while navigating the complexities of his past allegations and current projects. The intersection of celebrity, controversy, and legal issues continues to captivate audiences and spark debates in the entertainment industry.
