Rush Hour 4 is officially in the works, thanks to some unexpected backing from former President Donald Trump. Paramount Pictures, which had shelved the project for years, is now on board to release the next sequel directed by Brett Ratner. Ratner’s return is notable, especially considering his hiatus from Hollywood following several sexual misconduct allegations during the #MeToo movement.
For years, Ratner pitched this sequel, starring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker, to various studios without any luck. But recently, Trump nudged the project forward by speaking with Larry Ellison, the chief investor of Paramount’s new Skydance division. This aligns with Ellison’s recent settlement with Trump over a critical CBS News interview.
Matthew Belloni from Puck reported that Paramount has now secured funding and struck a distribution deal with Warner Bros., the studio that originally brought the Rush Hour movies to life. It’s an interesting turn in the often unpredictable film industry.
Ratner faced serious allegations back in 2017 and even took legal action against one accuser, Melanie Kohler, after she accused him of assault. They reportedly settled their case in 2018, but Kohler expressed hopes that he would be held accountable for his actions.
Interestingly, Ratner recently directed a documentary about Melania Trump, indicating he’s still connected to the Trump circle. This film is expected to be released on January 30.
Looking back, the first three Rush Hour films made over $850 million worldwide and gained a massive audience, especially in China. So, why has it taken so long for a fourth film? The movie industry has been shifting towards avoiding risks in favor of established franchises.
Movies like Rush Hour 4 may also reflect a trend to bring back traditional masculinity in Hollywood, especially as Trump has appointed various actors like Sylvester Stallone and Mel Gibson as “special ambassadors” to the film industry.
As we await more details, one might wonder: Is there a greater demand for such franchises today, or is the landscape of cinema changing? It’s certainly a conversation worth having.
For further insights, you can check out The Guardian’s analysis of Trump’s influence in Hollywood.
