Paramount is set to distribute a fourth instalment of the ‘Rush Hour’ franchise, reportedly at the behest of former US President Donald Trump, according to Semafor.
Brett Ratner, who directed the first three films before his career stalled amid #MeToo allegations in 2017, will return to helm the project. Ratner, who directed the $40 million Amazon-backed Melania documentary, will reunite original stars Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. This marks Ratner’s first feature film since 2014’s ‘Hercules’.
Paramount will receive a flat fee for distribution and will not handle marketing or financing. Warner Bros., whose New Line label produced the previous films, will take first-dollar gross, receiving box office revenue before financiers recoup costs. Other distributors reportedly declined involvement due to Ratner’s participation.
The original Rush Hour grossed $244 million worldwide, with sequels earning $347 million and $258 million, despite mixed reviews. With comedy now less dominant at the box office, the release timeline remains uncertain; Chan is 71 and Tucker has not starred in a film since 2007.
Paramount, recently acquired by Skydance, aims to expand its slate from eight films per year to 15 by 2026, 17 by 2027 and 18 by 2028. Its CEO, David Ellison, son of Trump supporter Larry Ellison, has been publicly praised by the former president.
