ROMAN POLANSKI - POLANSKI TO PLAY COP IN RUSH HOUR 3

Movie maker ROMAN POLANSKI is set to step out from behind the camera to play a French cop in the latest RUSH HOUR film. The part marks THE PIANIST director's first Hollywood acting appearance since he played "man with knife" in 1974's CHINATOWN. RUSH HOUR 3 director BRETT RATNER persuaded Polanski to take the role after raving about his performance in French indie film LE LOCATAIRE during a chance encounter with the Oscar winner. Polanski, who lives in exile in Europe following his decision to flee America in 1978 after pleading guilty to having sex with a minor, will join a cast that includes JACKIE CHAN, CHRIS TUCKER and MAX VON SYDOW.