Norwich, Norfolk, UK – February 2022. The Rush Hour Trilogy DVD box set isolated on a plain white background. A classic set featuring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker
Paramount Pictures is reportedly moving ahead with an action-comedy sequel demanded by President Donald Trump, according to Deadline and other industry insiders, with one dubbing it a move towards "the dumbest possible state-controlled media."
Semafor previously reported that Trump had pressed David Ellison, the new head of Paramount since its merger with Skydance and a noted ally of the president, to resurrect the Rush Hour action-comedy series with a new sequel. The outlet described the first film in he series as "a buddy-cop comedy starring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker that blended physical comedy, martial arts and gags about racial stereotypes."
On Tuesday, Deadline reported that Paramount had secured a deal to distribute a fourth Rush Hour film. Notably, the series originated at New Line Cinema, a studio now owned by Warner Bros., which Paramount is currently attempting to acquire, submitting a bid recently alongside Netflix and Comcast. It is not clear if the Rush Hour deal is contingent on Paramount's offer being accepted or if it will go ahead no matter what. Paramount is considered the most likely bidder to succeed in acquiring Warner Bros., but nothing is official at this time.
Trump has reportedly also had discussions with Paramount leadership about which CNN reporters will be fired if the merger is approved.
Noted entertainment industry insider Matthew Belloni also confirmed the development in a post to X, summing up the move in unflattering terms.
"I teased this last night in What I’m Hearing but now confirmed: Paramount WILL release Rush Hour 4 after prodding from Trump on behalf of Brett Ratner," Belloni wrote. "Distribution deal. Producer Tarak Ben Ammar is lining up financing. Get ready for the dumbest possible state-controlled media."
Series director Brett Ratner, who has ties to Trump and his family, also appears to be back for the sequel. Efforts to revive the franchise before Trump's intervention went nowhere over the years after the middling box office returns of Rush Hour 3 in 2007 and allegations of sexual misconduct made against Ratner in 2017.
The latest push to get Rush Hour 4 off the ground reportedly began in August 2024. Numerous distributors, including Warner Bros., declined to get involved.