Paramount will produce another Rush Hour sequel nearly two decades after the last movie, according to new reports.
The news comes days after it was reported that Donald Trump pressured the studio to reboot the comedy franchise.
After rumors of controversial director Brett Ratner returning for Rush Hour 4 started circulating last year, the installment had difficulty finding a home — until now. Paramount will distribute the newest buddy-cop action movie on behalf of Warner Bros, Deadline reported Tuesday.
The news comes after Semafor, citing an insider, reported Sunday that Trump had pressed billionaire Paramount owner Larry Ellison to revive the franchise in an attempt to bring action and comedy movies back to theaters. Paramount did not immediately return The Independent’s request for comment.
Original stars Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker will return to co-star in Rush Hour 4, along with Ratner, who directed the first three movies.
Ratner directed the first three installments in the Rush Hour franchise, with the box office hits grossing $850 million, before his career came to halt following multiple sexual misconduct allegations against him from actors including Olivia Munn and Elliot Page. He has denied all allegations against him and no charges hvae ever been filed.
This will mark Ratner’s first feature film since Hercules, starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in 2014. However, his first project since his retreat from Hollywood is a $40 million Amazon documentary on Melania Trump that is set to be released in January. The film will follow the first lady for the 20 days leading up to her husband’s 2025 inauguration.
More to follow…