Brett Ratner Pictured in Epstein Files Amid Controversial Film Release

YEREVAN (Azat TV) – Director Brett Ratner, 56, has been identified in newly released photos from the Department of Justice’s Jeffrey Epstein files, appearing alongside the late financier and his associate Jean-Luc Brunel. The emergence of these images on Friday, January 30, 2026, coincides with Ratner’s high-profile return to directing with the pseudo-documentary Melania, a film that has already drawn significant criticism for its content, budget, and the director’s past controversies.

The photos, part of a larger release of over 3 million Epstein-related documents by the Department of Justice, show Ratner in various settings, including on a sofa with Epstein, Brunel, and three women whose faces are redacted. In a previous document dump, Ratner was also seen hugging Brunel, who has been accused of supplying girls to Epstein and others. While Ratner is among many prominent figures, including former president Bill Clinton and Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates, featured in the extensive Epstein files, their inclusion does not inherently imply involvement in or conviction of crimes. Many individuals linked to Epstein have consistently denied any wrongdoing.

Brett Ratner’s Return to Directing and ‘Melania’ Film

The release of these images lands as Ratner celebrates the debut of Melania, a film chronicling First Lady Melania Trump in the 20 days leading up to her husband’s second presidential inauguration. This project marks Ratner’s first major directorial effort in nearly a decade, following a period largely out of the public eye after six women accused him of sexual misconduct in 2017, allegations he denied. The film, which premiered on Thursday, January 29, has been met with overwhelmingly negative reviews, currently holding a 6 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Beyond critical reception, Melania has also faced scrutiny over its reported $75 million budget. In an interview with Deadline, Ratner defended the expenditure, dismissing cost complaints as “silly.” He stated, “We spent more money on music in this than I did on Rush Hour. I mean, top of the line, three best cinematographers in the world, at the highest level. Eighty people on the first day of shooting in my crew. That’s not unheard of in a documentary. You put the money on the screen.”

Crew Discomfort and Ratner’s Response

Adding to the film’s controversies, numerous crew members reportedly requested to have their names removed from Melania. One unnamed crew member told Rolling Stone they were “a little bit uncomfortable with the propaganda element of this,” while several others cited Ratner, known for directing the Rush Hour film series, as a source of problems on set. This discomfort highlights ongoing concerns within the industry regarding the creative and ethical boundaries of such projects.

Ratner addressed these criticisms during the film’s premiere. Speaking to Variety on the red carpet, he remarked, “I understand if a liberal is working on the movie and they don’t want to be credited, but they want to feed their family. I don’t blame anybody for that. I don’t know who didn’t want to be a part of it, I wasn’t aware of it, but I learned about it when I read it.” His comments suggest a perceived political divide among the production team and a detachment from the specific concerns raised by those who sought to distance themselves from the project.

The timing of Brett Ratner’s appearance in the Epstein files, coinciding precisely with his highly anticipated return to directing and the controversial release of his film, underscores the persistent entanglement of personal associations and professional endeavors within the public sphere.