November 26, 2025, 11:21 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Some film projects have been the subject of speculation among fans and industry insiders in Hollywood for several years. Yet, they often fizzle out, and nothing more is heard of them. “Rush Hour 4” is one such project. Fans have long desired a new installment, and the stars have repeatedly expressed their interest. After a long silence, progress is finally expected–thanks to a surprising intervention from the highest political level.
Donald Trump Wants “Rush Hour 4”
This is now reported by the news magazine “Semafor.” The article cites an insider who allegedly has direct knowledge of the relevant behind-the-scenes discussions. According to this source, U.S. President Donald Trump personally urged David Ellison, CEO of Paramount Skydance, to pursue “Rush Hour 4.” Ellison is the son of Larry Ellison, a board member at Oracle and a major Trump supporter. The traditional studio Paramount holds the current rights to the iconic film series.
As the U.S. industry magazine “Variety” additionally reports, Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker are set to return as the mismatched police duo, having both publicly signaled their willingness years ago. Paramount is expected to distribute the film in theaters but, according to current knowledge, will not have to finance or market the project.
Which studio will be responsible for production is not yet known. The previous home of the films, Warner, seems likely but has not been confirmed. Warner is still expected to be financially involved in the revenues. In the foreseeable future, however, it could happen that Warner is acquired by Paramount. At least, talks are currently underway with various interested parties, including Netflix.
Controversial Director Also Set to Return
Brett Ratner is also expected to return to the director’s chair. Ratner directed the first three installments but faced allegations in 2017 as part of the #MeToo movement. Since then, he has been relatively quiet, with his last major film project being “Hercules” in 2014 with Dwayne Johnson. However, Ratner has recently moved closer to the U.S. president. He made a documentary about Melania Trump for Amazon Prime Video, for which he was allowed to follow the First Lady closely.
Also of interest: One of the Most Important Films of the 2010s is Getting a Sequel
When “Rush Hour 4” will be released is still unknown. Time is of the essence, though. After all, Jackie Chan, whose acrobatic martial arts were central to the success, is 71 years old. Whether there will still be demand by then is also questionable: The three installments were major hits at the time, but “Rush Hour 3” was released back in 2007. And Hollywood comedies have recently struggled at the box office.