Rush Hour 4 Greenlit: Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker Set to Reunite Under Paramount and Warner Bros.

The long-awaited return of the action-comedy franchise Rush Hour is officially moving forward. Film studios Paramount and Warner Bros. have finalized a partnership to bring Rush Hour 4 to the screen, securing the return of original stars Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. A crucial piece of this revival puzzle is the confirmed involvement of director Brett Ratner, whose return follows years of development hurdles and delays surrounding the project.

Reports suggest that the franchise's revitalization was significantly influenced by direct intervention from former President Donald Trump. Allegedly, Trump personally appealed to the leadership at Paramount Skydance, urging them to champion the revival of the popular series. The financial architecture of this new deal is quite distinct. Paramount will handle the distribution duties for a set fee, while Warner Bros., utilizing its New Line Cinema label, is set to receive a substantial portion of the gross revenue before production costs are recouped.

Under the leadership of CEO David Ellison, Paramount is strategically aiming to boost its annual film release slate to 18 titles by the year 2028. Consequently, Rush Hour 4 is viewed as a strategically vital addition to their upcoming lineup. This move signals a significant push by Paramount to expand its market presence in the coming years, making this reunion a cornerstone of their future strategy.

The initial trilogy, spanning from 1998 through 2007, proved to be a major box office success, collectively earning over 850 million dollars globally. Specifically, the first installment in 1998 grossed 245.3 million dollars. Rush Hour 2 (2001) followed with an impressive 347.4 million dollars, and the third film in 2007 brought in 258.1 million dollars. Discussions regarding a fourth installment have been ongoing since 2012, when producer Arthur M. Sarkissian expressed a strong desire to create a harder-hitting film packed with fresh concepts.

Both Jackie Chan, currently 71, and Chris Tucker, aged 54, have consistently voiced their enthusiasm for reprising their iconic roles as Inspector Lee and Detective Carter, respectively. They have emphasized their shared goal of making this fourth entry the best installment yet. The dynamic between the two—a clash of Eastern and Western sensibilities—was the bedrock of the trilogy’s immense popularity, particularly within the Chinese market. The return of Ratner, who has publicly refuted various allegations, alongside support from influential figures like Larry Ellison—a Trump supporter and major shareholder in Paramount Skydance—were pivotal factors in pushing this project across the finish line.

While specific production start dates and the official premiere window remain unconfirmed, the official green light from both industry behemoths solidifies the foundation for Lee and Carter’s on-screen reunion, nearly two decades after the events of the third film. This franchise, which set benchmarks for buddy-cop comedies featuring minority leads, is now clearly targeting the milestone of surpassing one billion dollars in worldwide ticket sales with the arrival of Rush Hour 4.