Actors Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan arrive at the premiere of “Rush Hour 3” at Mann’s Chinese Theater on July 30, 2007 in Hollywood, California.
Jeff Vespa | WireImage | Getty Images
A push from President Donald Trump led Paramount Skydance to relaunch its “Rush Hour” buddy cop film series, two decades after the last installment, according to multiple reports Tuesday.
Paramount secured financing for “Rush Hour 4” and reached a distribution deal with Discovery Warner Bros.which previously owned the franchise under its New Line banner, Puck’s Matthew Belloni reported.
The project had been in limbo for years.
The studios were approached several times about a new opus, but had been reluctant to work with director Brett Ratner.
Ratner’s career collapsed in 2017 after several actresses accused him of sexual misconduct. He denied the allegations and was never charged.
Belloni reported that Paramount’s decision to release “Rush Hour 4” came “after being prodded by Trump on behalf of Brett Ratner,” who will direct the film.
Ratner, in late 2024, was tapped to direct a documentary on first lady Melania Trump for Amazon Prime, who reportedly paid $40 million for the production rights.
As part of the “Rush Hour 4” deal, Paramount will collect a flat distribution fee to release the film theatrically, Variety first reported. Warner Bros. will take an undisclosed share of the box office revenue before financiers recoup the costs.
Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. did not respond to requests for comment. The White House also did not respond to a request for comment.
The first three “Rush Hour” films were global hits, particularly in China, grossing more than $850 million worldwide, according to box office estimates. They also made Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker major stars.
But the new sequel faces a changed theatrical landscape where comedies have struggled at the box office.
And at 71, Chan has scaled back his studio work in the United States, while Tucker hasn’t headlined a major film since 2007.
Chan and Tucker are expected to appear in the new film.
Trump’s intervention in Hollywood has drawn criticism.
He has informally tapped allies such as Sylvester Stallone, Jon Voight and Mel Gibson as cultural emissaries, and has repeatedly said he wants to restore what he calls “classic masculinity” in studio cinema.
For Paramount, the “Rush Hour” revival comes as the newly merged studio aims to nearly double its output, aiming for 15 films in 2026 and up to 18 by 2028.
The timing also coincides with a major industry shake-up: Paramount Skydance, ComcastAnd Netflix have all submitted first-round offers to acquire Warner Bros. The company’s portfolio includes some of entertainment’s most sought-after franchises, from DC to Harry Potter.
Paramount makes bid for all of Warner Bros. His proposal, previously valued at around $23.50 per share, would bring the entire company — the studio, HBO Max and the cable networks — under one owner.
Comcast reportedly interested in studio and streaming assets, including Warner Bros. and HBO Max. The deal would consolidate these elements into NBCUniversal and allow Warner Bros. Discovery to part ways with CNN and TNT Sports before deal closes.
Netflix is also interested in film and streaming assets, people familiar with the matter told CNBC.
Warner Bros. Discovery aims to complete its sales process by mid-to-late December, CNBC previously reported.
Disclosure: Comcast is the parent company of NBCUniversal, which owns CNBC. Versant would become the new parent company of CNBC in Comcast’s planned spinoff of Versant.
