Photo: AFP
Paramount Pictures has reportedly greenlit Rush Hour 4 after President Donald Trump privately urged the studio’s owner to revive the franchise.
According to Variety, Trump “personally pressed” Paramount Pictures owner Larry Ellison to pick up the fourth installment after several other studios, including Warner Bros., passed on the project.
The greenlight at Paramount Pictures came days after Trump praised the Rush Hour franchise on Truth Social.
“I’ve always loved Rush Hour—funny, action-packed, and great chemistry between Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. We need more movies like this!” Trump wrote.
Brett Ratner is expected to return as director, marking his first major studio film since facing sexual misconduct allegations in 2017, which he denied and later settled. Ratner’s hiring has the backing of both Trump and Ellison, according to reports. The director recently completed a documentary on First Lady Melania Trump.
Entertainment writer Jesse Hassenger suggested that Trump was pushing for the revival due to Ratner’s ties to the First Lady’s documentary.
“Trump almost certainly ‘wants’ RUSH HOUR 4 to happen because Brett Ratner wants it to happen, and he wants Brett Ratner to be rewarded for his upcoming Melania puff piece movie. I’d be shocked if Trump had seen more than 40% of any single RUSH HOUR movie," Hassenger said.
Paramount has also confirmed that Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker are expected to reprise their roles as Detectives Lee and Carter. Additional casting has not been announced, and the studio has not indicated whether Trump will make a cameo appearance.
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