Paramount Pictures is now in talks to distribute “Rush Hour 4,” directed by Brett Ratner. This move comes after President Donald Trump’s reported involvement, particularly since Hollywood had previously avoided the project due to sexual misconduct allegations against Ratner.
Back in 2017, during the #MeToo movement, multiple women accused Ratner of harassment, leading Warner Bros. to end their partnership with him. Since then, Ratner hasn’t produced any films, making this new interest in “Rush Hour 4” noteworthy.
According to recent reports, Trump personally urged Paramount to take on the film. This request comes after Paramount’s merger with Skydance, which was worth $8 billion and needed approval from Trump’s administration. Notably, Trump has a friendly relationship with David Ellison, Paramount’s CEO, who is also connected to Larry Ellison of Oracle.
“Rush Hour 4” aims to reunite Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker, who starred in the original films. The franchise first launched in 1998, followed by sequels in 2001 and 2007. Ratner has been looking for a home for this project since Warner Bros. opted out.
Interestingly, Ratner did manage to create a documentary about Melania Trump, which Amazon MGM Studios acquired for around $40 million. It’s scheduled to hit theaters on January 30.
Despite the controversies surrounding Ratner, the anticipation for “Rush Hour 4” shows how nostalgia can influence consumer interest. A recent poll found that nearly 70% of audiences are excited about classic film franchises being revived, indicating a strong market potential for this film. This blend of established stars and a beloved franchise may draw viewers, even amidst the surrounding controversies.
For more details, you can refer to the original reporting by AP News.
Source link
Brett Ratner, Donald Trump, Melania Trump, Larry Ellison, David Ellison, Movies, General news, Local News for Apple, DC Wire, District of Columbia, Politics, Jackie Chan, Oracle Corp., Chris Tucker, Hollywood, Entertainment, MeToo, U.S. news, U.S. News
