New Rush Hour Sequel in the Works
Paramount is set to release another installment in the Rush Hour franchise, according to recent reports. This development has sparked significant interest among fans of the action-comedy series, which originally featured Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker in leading roles. The news comes after claims that former President Donald Trump personally requested the continuation of the franchise.
According to sources, Trump pressured Larry Ellison, the owner of Paramount, who is one of his key financial supporters, to revive the buddy-cop series. This move aims to bring back the blend of action and humor that once dominated the big screen. The latest film will be distributed by Paramount on behalf of Warner Bros, as the original studio behind the first three movies, New Line, decided not to take on the project.
The new film will be directed and produced by Brett Ratner, who previously helmed the first three Rush Hour movies. He is also expected to reunite with the original stars, Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. However, Ratner’s involvement has raised some eyebrows due to his past controversies.
A Controversial Director Returns
Brett Ratner’s return to directing has been a topic of discussion for some time. Rumors about a potential fourth Rush Hour movie began circulating last year, but the project struggled to find a distributor until now. Multiple studios reportedly hesitated to take on the film due to Ratner’s association with it. Despite this, Paramount has stepped in to handle the distribution.
Ratner’s career faced a major setback in 2017 when multiple sexual misconduct allegations were made against him. These included accusations from actors like Olivia Munn and Elliot Page. Ratner has denied all these allegations and even sued a woman named Melanie Kohler for defamation after she accused him of rape. The case was settled in 2018.
This upcoming project marks Ratner’s first feature film since Hercules, which was released in 2014 and starred Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Although the #MeToo movement temporarily affected his career, his close ties to Trump have seemingly helped him regain a foothold in Hollywood. Earlier this year, he was involved in a $40 million Amazon documentary about Melania Trump, which will be released in January and follows the First Lady ahead of her husband’s 2025 inauguration.
A Legacy of Action and Comedy
The original Rush Hour, released in 1998, was a comedy that combined martial arts with humor, including jokes about racial stereotypes. It followed two police officers working together to rescue a Chinese diplomat’s kidnapped daughter. The film was a massive box office success, and its sequels went on to become even more profitable, earning over $850 million collectively.
The new Rush Hour film is coming at an interesting time for Paramount. The company, led by David Ellison, the son of Larry Ellison, recently merged with Skydance and is set to acquire Warner Bros Discovery. This means Paramount outbid Netflix and Comcast for the rights to the Warner movie catalog and production company. Additionally, Paramount Skydance recently settled a lawsuit with Trump over a CBS News interview, and there are reports of a “side deal” between the Paramount owners and the former president.
The Future of the Franchise
With the involvement of a controversial director and the backing of a powerful figure, the future of Rush Hour 4 remains uncertain. However, the film’s potential to bring back the iconic action-comedy style could attract both longtime fans and new audiences. As the production moves forward, it will be interesting to see how the film is received and whether it can live up to the legacy of its predecessors.
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