Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker are set to reunite for Rush Hour 4.
Variety reported on Tuesday that Rush Hour 4 is in production, with Paramount Global and Skydance handling distribution.
Earlier, American outlet Semaphore cited insider sources claiming that on November 23, former President Trump personally pressured billionaire Larry Ellison, owner of Paramount Global, to revive the franchise. Director Brett Ratner, whose career took a hit in 2017 due to #MeToo allegations, is returning to helm the fourth installment after directing the first three. Ratner reportedly grew closer to the Trump family while directing Melania, a documentary Amazon acquired for 40 million USD. This marks Ratner’s first feature film since 2014’s Hercules, starring Dwayne The Rock Johnson.
Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker will reprise their iconic roles in Rush Hour 4.
Sources reveal that Paramount Global will only receive a fixed distribution fee for theatrical release, without bearing marketing or production costs.
Warner Bros. (New Line Cinema), which produced the original Rush Hour (1998) and its sequels, will operate under a first-dollar gross agreement, allowing investors to receive a percentage of box office revenue before recouping costs.
The first Rush Hour, released in 1998, followed two mismatched detectives teaming up to rescue a kidnapped Chinese diplomat’s daughter. It was a blockbuster hit, grossing 244 million USD worldwide.
Rush Hour 2 and Rush Hour 3 continued the franchise’s success, earning 347 million USD and 258 million USD, respectively.
However, with comedy films losing steam at the box office recently, the fourth installment’s success remains uncertain.
Variety noted that Jackie Chan, the 71-year-old action star central to the series, and Chris Tucker, who hasn’t headlined a film since 2007’s Rush Hour 3, face scrutiny over their ability to carry the franchise forward.
