Paramount Pictures has officially confirmed that Rush Hour 4 is in active development, with original stars Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker returning for the long-awaited sequel. The surprising momentum behind the project reportedly came after President Donald Trump personally urged producers to greenlight the next chapter in the blockbuster action-comedy franchise.
Sources close to the production say that director Brett Ratner, who helmed the first three films, is back on board for Rush Hour 4. The new installment reunites Chan’s Detective Inspector Lee and Tucker’s fast-talking LAPD Detective James Carter as they take on another globe-trotting, crime-solving adventure.
Paramount is expected to pay a flat distribution fee for the film, while Warner Bros. will continue its involvement via its New Line Cinema label, which backed the original trilogy. Despite previous setbacks in getting the fourth film off the ground, insiders say President Trump’s enthusiastic support helped secure the project’s final approval.
Ratner, who is also finalizing a high-profile documentary titled Melania—a $40 million film about First Lady Melania Trump—is set to bring his signature energy back to the franchise. Rush Hour launched in 1998 with massive success, earning $244 million globally. Its sequels, Rush Hour 2 and Rush Hour 3, grossed $347 million and $258 million respectively.
The upcoming Melania documentary, produced by Muse Films, is set for a global theatrical release in January and will also stream exclusively on Amazon Prime. The documentary promises an inside look at Melania Trump’s role in the White House transition and her return to public life, featuring never-before-seen footage and private moments.
With both Rush Hour 4 and Melania on the horizon, Ratner appears to be making a major comeback, while Trump’s influence in the entertainment world continues to spark headlines.
