Rush Hour 4 in development with Chan and Tucker at Trump’s request

Paramount is developing Rush Hour 4 with Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker, reportedly at former President Trump’s request

Paramount Pictures is moving forward with Rush Hour 4, reuniting original stars Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker in the long-awaited sequel to the hit buddy-cop franchise.

Reports indicate that the film’s development was influenced by former President Donald Trump, who personally requested the studio to revive the series, according to Semafor.

Director Brett Ratner, who helmed the first three films in the franchise, is returning to direct the fourth installment. This marks Ratner’s first feature film since 2014’s Hercules and comes after his work on the Amazon-backed Melania documentary, which reportedly strengthened his ties with the former president. Despite controversies surrounding Ratner’s past, multiple sources confirm Paramount’s commitment to the project.

The new Rush Hour will follow the iconic formula of the earlier films, pairing Chan and Tucker as mismatched police officers navigating a high-stakes rescue. Paramount will distribute the film for a flat fee, while Warner Bros.’ New Line label will receive first-dollar gross, ensuring a share of box office revenue before production costs are recouped. Other distributors reportedly declined involvement due to Ratner’s attachment.

The original Rush Hour trilogy was a global success, with the first three films earning $244 million, $347 million, and $258 million worldwide, respectively. While comedies have seen declining box office returns in recent years, Paramount, now under the leadership of CEO David Ellison, aims to expand its annual slate of releases from eight films to 18 by 2028, making Rush Hour 4 a strategic addition. The timeline for production and release has not yet been announced, and Chan is currently 71, while Tucker has not led a film since 2007.