After years of speculation, Rush Hour 4 is officially in development, with Paramount Pictures set to distribute the film following a reported request from President Donald Trump. The action-comedy is set to reunite Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker as Chief Inspector Lee and Detective James Carter, respectively. Brett Ratner, who directed the original Rush Hour trilogy, is also slated to return.
The road to Rush Hour 4 has been long and winding. Chan confirmed in 2022 that discussions were underway for a fourth film. However, the project faced numerous hurdles, with Ratner's involvement proving to be a significant obstacle. In 2017, Ratner faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, leading to a halt in his Hollywood career.
According to multiple reports, President Trump personally intervened to revive the project. Trump reportedly lobbied Larry Ellison, the largest shareholder of Paramount Skydance, on behalf of Ratner. Trump's admiration for the Rush Hour franchise is well-known, with the president expressing his fondness for the films' humor, action, and the chemistry between Chan and Tucker.
The decision to move forward with Rush Hour 4 has sparked mixed reactions. While many fans are excited to see Chan and Tucker reunite on screen, others have raised concerns about Ratner's involvement, given the allegations against him. Some industry insiders have criticized the move as a reflection of Trump's efforts to reintroduce "old-fashioned masculinity" into Hollywood culture.
Paramount will handle distribution of Rush Hour 4, while Warner Bros. will receive an undisclosed cut of box office revenues before financiers recoup costs. Warner Bros. had previously distributed the first three Rush Hour films but passed on the fourth installment.
As of November 2025, plot details and a release date for Rush Hour 4 remain under wraps. Casting announcements are also pending. Production timeline has not been set. Despite the lack of concrete details, the revival of Rush Hour has generated significant buzz, blending entertainment headlines with political commentary.
The original Rush Hour movies were box office successes, with the first three films grossing over $850 million worldwide. Rush Hour (1998) made $240 million worldwide, Rush Hour 2 (2001) grossed $340 million, and Rush Hour 3 (2007) earned $250 million.
In addition to Rush Hour 4, Ratner is also directing an upcoming documentary about First Lady Melania Trump for Amazon MGM Studios. The documentary, reportedly acquired by Amazon for $40 million, is set to be released in January 2026.
