Key Takeaways
- Rush Hour 4 is reportedly back in development at Paramount Pictures.
- Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker are expected to reunite for the fourth film.
- Director Brett Ratner is returning despite past #MeToo allegations.
- The revival reportedly follows a personal push from President Donald Trump.
- Paramount is undergoing major restructuring under a new administration.
‘Rush Hour 4’ Officially Back in the Works
The iconic buddy-cop franchise Rush Hour may finally be returning to the big screen. According to a report from Matt Belloni at Puck, Rush Hour 4 is in active development at Paramount Pictures, marking the first major movement on the franchise in years.
The film will follow the original trilogy — Rush Hour (1998), Rush Hour 2 (2001), and Rush Hour 3 (2007) — which became global hits thanks to the comedic and action-packed chemistry between Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker.
Jackie Chan & Chris Tucker to Reunite
Fans of the franchise can expect the return of its two beloved stars:
- Jackie Chan as Chief Inspector Lee
- Chris Tucker as Detective James Carter
Their dynamic partnership, blending martial arts action with fast-paced comedy, helped define the series and build a loyal fanbase over two decades.
Brett Ratner Returning as Director
One of the most controversial developments is the return of Brett Ratner, who directed the first three films. Ratner previously faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct in 2017, including accusations from Olivia Munn and Natasha Henstridge. Those allegations had halted work on Rush Hour 4 for years.
Despite this, reports from Variety and The Hollywood Reporter indicate that Ratner is attached to direct the new installment — making it his first feature film since the allegations.
A Reported Push From Donald Trump
Semafor reports that the revival was influenced by a direct request from President Donald Trump. Ratner has recently been involved in producing a documentary titled Melania, centered on First Lady Melania Trump and set to premiere on Amazon.
The renewed momentum on Rush Hour 4 reportedly aligns with Trump’s personal interest in seeing the franchise return.
Paramount’s Major Restructuring Continues
The project arrives during a period of significant transformation at Paramount. The Trump administration’s Federal Communications Commission recently approved the company’s merger with Skydance Media, triggering:
- Company-wide layoffs
- Leadership restructuring
- New content strategies
- Bari Weiss being appointed to lead CBS News
The studio’s new chairman and CEO, David Ellison — son of Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison and known Trump ally — is now steering Paramount’s next chapter.
USA TODAY has reached out to Paramount, Brett Ratner, and the White House for comment on the developing project.
Why Rush Hour Still Matters
The original Rush Hour trilogy blended comedy, martial arts, and cross-cultural storytelling, following Hong Kong Inspector Lee and LAPD Detective Carter as they team up to solve high-stakes crimes. Its combination of humor and action cemented it as one of Hollywood’s most popular buddy-cop franchises.
With major stars returning and a studio undergoing dramatic shifts, Rush Hour 4 is set to be one of the industry’s most talked-about revivals.
