Chris Tucker as Detective James Carter hiding behind Jackie Chan as Chief Inspector Lee in Rush Hour 2.Image via New Line Cinema
It’s official: after nearly two decades of false starts, stalled scripts, and studio hesitation, Rush Hour 4 is finally moving forward — and in one of the strangest Hollywood deals in recent memory. Deadline is today reporting that Paramount will release the long-awaited sequel, marking the studio’s first major team-up with Warner Bros. Discovery since David Ellison took control of Paramount earlier this year. Paramount will handle U.S. distribution of the film for a double-digit percent fee, while Warner Bros. oversees the broader franchise rights. Even wilder? According to a report from Semafor, the revival reportedly came after Donald Trump personally pressed the Ellison family to bring the franchise back. And no, we are not living in a simulation.
For years, Rush Hour 4 looked like a lost cause. Despite the original trilogy earning over $850 million worldwide between 1998 and 2007, no studio wanted to touch a fourth film, pretty much down to the fact that it would require them to hire the toxic director Brett Ratner, whose career completely fell apart in 2017 after sexual assault allegations by Melanie Kohler. Ratner sued for defamation, and both parties settled in 2018, but obviously studios remained wary (see also: Mel Gibson, Ezra Miller). But in August 2024, the project resurfaced when Ratner became attached again as director and producer, with New Line (which launched the franchise) surprisingly allowing the sequel to be licensed elsewhere. Producer Tarak Ben Ammar secured rights through his Eagle Pictures label and joined forces with original Rush Hour producer Arthur Sarkissian.
Perhaps the biggest question fans have had is whether the heart of the franchise — Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker — would come back. According to sources close to the production, both stars are reportedly on board for Part 4, reuniting as Chief Inspector Lee and the always-chaotic Detective Carter. But how did this happen?
Did Donald Trump Bring Back Rush Hour?
Alongside President Trump's peace deal for the Middle East, it now seems like he can take credit for reviving the franchise, one of his favorites as it happens. Trump, who has maintained connections with Ratner — now fresh off directing a Melania Trump documentary for Amazon MGM Studios releasing January 30 — urged the Ellisons to revive the franchise. People aren't entirely sure why, but if a man likes his corny action movies, who are we to argue with him?
Rush Hour 4 has no confirmed release date yet. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
Rush Hour 3
Like Follow Followed PG-13 Action Comedy Crime Release Date August 10, 2007 Runtime 90 minutes Director Brett Ratner Writers Jeff Nathanson, Ross LaManna Producers Arthur M. Sarkissian, Jay Stern, Jonathan Glickman, Roger BirnbaumCast
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Jackie Chan
Yan Naing Lee
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Chris Tucker
James Carter
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Hiroyuki Sanada
Kenji
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Max von Sydow
Varden Reynard
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