Rush Hour 4 is actually happening — no, for real this time. After more than a decade of rumors, stalled scripts, and “maybe next year” chatter, Paramount is officially moving the sequel forward and will handle U.S. distribution. Brett Ratner is back in the director’s chair, too, marking the first real sign since 2007 that a fourth movie is finally shifting from franchise folklore to something you might actually see in theaters.
For years, the project lived in limbo. Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker both repeatedly said they were down to reunite, but without a studio willing to back the film, their enthusiasm didn’t have anywhere to go. The longer things dragged on, the more fans assumed Rush Hour 4 was just one of those sequels that would never materialize.
But here’s where things get interesting. According to reporting from Semafor and Complex, former President Donald Trump nudged Larry Ellison — whose company now controls Paramount — to dust off the franchise and get it moving again. Deadline’s initial announcement didn’t mention that wrinkle, but the detail has been circulating as part of the behind-the-scenes story fueling the sequel’s sudden momentum.
A Franchise That Connected with Audiences
The original Rush Hour films built their success on the chemistry between Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. The first movie in 1998 introduced audiences to the Lee and Carter pairing, quickly becoming a cinematic worldwide hit. Chan’s stunt work and timing, combined with Tucker’s rapid-fire wit and delivery, created a partnership that felt entertaining and unpredictable. Audiences returned for the sequels because they wanted more of that dynamic.
Rush Hour 2 and Rush Hour 3 followed the same pattern. Both films placed the leads in high-stakes situations and let the contrast in their personalities carry the humor and tension. Even after all these years, the movies still air regularly on cable and streaming platforms, showing how strongly the characters stuck with viewers. That familiarity is a big reason the fourth film is still anticipated.
Brett Ratner’s Position in Rush Hour 4
Ratner’s involvement is one of the most notable and complicated elements of the announcement. He hasn’t directed a major studio film since misconduct allegations in 2017. That said, his involvement is speculation, as Paramount hasn’t clarified how his position will shape the movie, or whether he will remain attacked as the project moves forward. At this point, his name is an attempt to rebuild film hype with the same creative voice that designed the original trilogy.
Industry reactions vary, and the situation may evolve as the film progresses from early development to active filming. For now, he’s part of the project in the planning stages, and that reflects a desire to match the style and tone of the earlier Rush Hour films.
What Rush Hour 4 Could Explore
Rush Hour 4 doesn’t have plot details yet. As for casting, Chan and Tucker have long said they would consider returning for a strong script. With a studio finally putting the film on its slate, those conversations have a clearer path for negotiations.
The Rush Hour formula has always been simple. Place Lee and Carter in a complicated case that spans borders and allows their differences to spur humor and momentum. The story matters less than the interaction between the two leads. Rush Hour 4 could follow a similar pattern, or it could acknowledge that a lot of time has passed, maybe showing the characters working together later in their careers.
Looking Ahead
There’s no public timeline for production and no release window for Rush Hour 4 yet. Even so, the green light from Paramount represents meaningful progress that the long-awaited project is in motion. Fans, apparently including Trump, have been waiting a long time for Lee and Carter to reunite, and for the first time, it may happen.