Amazon Prime Video Partners with Melania Trump and Brett Ratner on Controversial Documentary
Amazon has announced an exclusive licensing agreement for an upcoming documentary about former First Lady Melania Trump, directed by Brett Ratner. The film, described by an Amazon spokesperson as an “unprecedented, behind-the-scenes look,” will receive both a theatrical and streaming release in the latter half of 2025. Melania Trump will serve as executive producer alongside Fernando Sulichin of New Element Media. Filming commenced in December 2024, following Donald Trump’s re-election to the presidency.
The project’s most controversial aspect is Ratner’s involvement. Since 2017, he has largely been absent from major Hollywood productions following multiple accusations of sexual misconduct. Six women detailed allegations in a *Los Angeles Times* exposé, and a former assistant accused him of rape in a Facebook post. While Ratner denied all claims, the allegations led to Warner Bros. severing ties with him and a significant legal battle. He was also implicated in a broader sex scandal that contributed to the resignation of Warner Bros. CEO Kevin Tsujihara.
Sources close to Ratner have suggested that he viewed a documentary as a potential career comeback, requiring minimal upfront investment and delaying distributor involvement until completion. This contrasts with typical studio practices, where documentaries are usually acquired after festival premieres, not during production. The circumstances surrounding Ratner’s securing Melania Trump’s participation remain unclear, although his previous work on “Tower Heist,” which utilized Trump International Hotel & Tower as a primary location, may have facilitated a connection. Donald Trump visited the set during filming.
Amazon remains tight-lipped on further details, stating that more information will be released as filming progresses. However, the project’s collaboration between a controversial director and the former First Lady is guaranteed to generate significant media attention. Fernando Sulichin, the film’s co-producer, has a notable track record working with prominent figures such as Sean Penn and Oliver Stone on various film and documentary projects. The project’s announcement undoubtedly raises questions about Amazon’s decision to partner with Ratner, given his past controversies.