A fourth installment of the Rush Hour franchise is reportedly moving into development, with industry sources alleging that former President Donald Trump played a significant role in advancing the project.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Paramount is in the process of finalizing an agreement to assume production of Rush Hour 4, potentially reuniting Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker for the first time since the original 1998 film launched the franchise’s substantial commercial success.
Director Brett Ratner—who led all three prior installments before his career stalled in 2017 following multiple allegations of sexual misconduct—has been newly associated with the developing project. Ratner recently resumed limited industry activity by directing a high-budget documentary concerning former First Lady Melania Trump, in which she is credited as an executive producer. This production has reportedly facilitated his gradual re-entry into the entertainment sector and provided him with influential connections.
A new report asserts that President Trump has urged longtime associate Larry Ellison, the Oracle co-founder, to support the return of large-scale action films to theaters, beginning with a revival of the Rush Hour franchise. Ellison’s son, David Ellison, who now oversees the newly merged Paramount Global, is also reportedly evaluating a significant bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company of New Line Cinema—the original distributor of the Rush Hour series.
Semafor reported that President Trump “personally pressed” Ellison to pursue a revival of Rush Hour, and that he has expressed interest in additional action-film revivals, including the 1988 title Bloodsport.
Representatives for Chan, Tucker, and Ratner did not provide responses to requests for comment.
Prior to these developments, the Rush Hour series had already secured its position as a highly successful action-comedy franchise. The 1998 film, which combined Chan’s martial arts performance with Tucker’s comedic approach, earned more than $245 million globally on a $33 million budget. The 2001 sequel grossed $347 million worldwide, while the 2007 third installment brought in $258 million internationally.
Ratner’s directorial work—characterized by fast pacing, integrated comedic sequences, and choreographed action—was considered central to the franchise’s appeal. However, efforts to reintroduce him to the series were previously deemed commercially impractical due to unresolved reputational concerns stemming from the 2017 allegations, which he denies. His related defamation dispute with accuser Melanie Kohler was resolved in 2018.
Should Rush Hour 4 proceed, it would mark Ratner’s first feature film since Hercules (2014). His documentary on Melania Trump, a $40 million Amazon production covering events leading up to the 2025 inauguration, is scheduled for release in January, signaling his formal return to the entertainment industry.#newsafro_
