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It’s difficult to imagine President Donald Trump kicking his shoes off and enjoying a movie, but at some point in the last few decades, he did exactly that with the Rush Hour movies and was apparently such a fan of them that he’s now asking the studio’s chief to make a fourth one.
According to a report from Semafor, President Trump has used his personal connection with Paramount’s owner Larry Ellison, the world’s third-richest man, to “press him” on reviving the Rush Hour franchise.
All three Rush Hour films were directed by Brett Ratner, who hasn’t directed a Hollywood movie in over a decade (2014’s Hercules) after he was Me Too’d in 2017 following numerous allegations of sexual assault and harassment. In 2023, Ratner immigrated to Israel, where he currently lives.
President Trump reportedly “personally pressed” Paramount owner Larry Ellison about making a fourth Rush Hour movie
“A person directly familiar with the conversations told Semafor that the president of the United States has personally pressed the Paramount owner to revive another franchise from Ratner: Rush Hour, a buddy-cop comedy starring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker that blended physical comedy, martial arts, and gags about racial stereotypes.” [via Semafor]
The most recent Rush Hour movie, Rush Hour 3, was released in 2007 and grossed over $258 million worldwide. The film was far worse received than its two predecessors, however, as it has a 17% critics score and 63% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Comparatively, 1998’s Rush Hour had a 62% and 79%, while 2001’s Rush Hour 2 had a 50% and 74%.
Similarlly, the franchise’s stars — Jackie Chan and Chris Tucket — have receded from the Hollywood spotlight in recent years.
While the 71-year-old Chan undoubtedly remains a legend, he has largely made Chinese movies over the last two decades. Tucker, meanwhile, has starred in just three movies since 2007’s Rush Hour 3: Silver Linings Playbook in 2012, Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk in 2016, and Ben Affleck’s Air in 2023.