Donald Trump is reportedly leaning on old Hollywood muscle—with a jaw-dropping twist: he wants to revive the Rush Hour franchise, the action-comedy buddy-cop series that made Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker household names. But this isn’t just a nostalgic move. It’s part of a broader cultural playbook, mashing together Trump’s influence, bold studio maneuvering, and a return to what he sees as “classic masculinity” in cinema.
A Power Play with Paramount
According to multiple sources, Trump has personally pressed Larry Ellison, a major shareholder of Paramount Skydance, to greenlight Rush Hour 4. Complex+2Yahoo+2 Ellison is not only a business ally, but pivotal in Paramount’s current bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, which owns New Line Cinema — the original home of the Rush Hour franchise. Yahoo+1
If Ellison and Paramount succeed, they could reclaim the rights to Rush Hour, paving the way for a fourth film. Yahoo+2Complex+2
Why Rush Hour? Why Now?
Trump seems driven by more than just business—or friendship. Several motives converge here:
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Nostalgic Cinematic Vision
He reportedly wants to bring back “raucous comedies and action films” from the late ’80s and ’90s. Enstarz+2Yahoo+2 Rush Hour sits squarely in that zone: martial arts, broad humor, and clever cultural contrast. Complex -
Loyalty to Brett Ratner
The original Rush Hour trilogy was directed by Brett Ratner, whose career faltered after multiple misconduct accusations in 2017. Breitbart+2Breitbart+2 Ratner, however, recently directed a $40 million documentary about Melania Trump, which seems to have reignited Trump’s faith in his old collaborator. Breitbart -
A Cultural Signal
Some commentators interpret Trump’s push for Rush Hour 4 as more than a movie revival — it’s a symbolic re-embrace of “traditional” masculinity, action, and humor outside of modern Hollywood’s more progressive or woke sensibilities. Breitbart+1
The Talent Side: Chan, Tucker, and the Studio
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Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker have not ruled out a fourth installment. Chan reportedly said in 2025 that he wants Rush Hour 4 — “Hurry up!” he joked, before he jokes they’ll all be “100 years old.” The Grio
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Tucker has expressed continued affection for working with Chan, which could mean his return is not just feasible but desired. Yahoo
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On the studio front, Paramount — under Ellison — could leverage its potential acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery to control the Rush Hour IP. Yahoo
Risks and Flashpoints
Reviving a franchise is rarely easy, and Rush Hour 4 could stumble on several fronts:
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Ratner’s Return: Bringing back Ratner could stir controversy given his past. Yahoo+1
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Box-Office Viability: While the original films were commercially successful, the third one’s performance and changing audience tastes might make financing a risk. Breitbart
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Aging Stars: Chan and Tucker have aged, and whether their chemistry still sells — or whether the audience wants the same characters decades later — remains uncertain. Enstarz
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Political Backlash: This venture is deeply tied to Trump’s political brand. If things go wrong, it could turn into a PR debacle — or worse, alienate parts of both movie and political audiences.
What Could Rush Hour 4 Look Like?
Here are a few plausible scenarios for Rush Hour 4 under this Trump-Ellison push:
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Nostalgic Reunion: Chan and Tucker return as Lee and Carter. Ratner directs. Tone: action-comedy, muscle, martial arts, cultural banter.
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Legacy Sequel: New generation cops, possibly the children of Lee and Carter, stepping into the fray — blending the old characters with youthful energy.
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Political Subtext: Given Trump’s involvement, the film might subtly emphasize themes like “unity through difference,” “toughness,” or even some culturally conservative nods.
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Hybrid Release: A theatrical premiere followed by streaming on Paramount’s platform, leveraging Warner-Discovery’s catalog if Paramount wins the acquisition.
Bigger Picture: Why This Matters
This push is not just about making another buddy-cop flick. It’s a statement: Trump wants to influence culture, not just politics. By resurrecting Rush Hour, a film beloved for its cross-cultural humor and action, he anchors his vision in something familiar — but with a deliberate edge.
If Rush Hour 4 gets greenlit, it could:
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Signal a cultural reset toward the kind of cinema the Trump base venerates.
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Provide Hollywood leverage: Ellison’s influence could reshape what kinds of films get made.
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Reopen debates around #MeToo, casting, and whether a director like Ratner should be allowed to return.
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Serve as a bridge between Trump’s political identity and his pop-cultural ambitions.
Donald Trump’s reported campaign to bring back Rush Hour may look like whimsy—until you consider what it’s really about: power, nostalgia, and a very deliberate push to shape Hollywood in his image. A fourth Rush Hour isn’t just a movie idea. It could be his latest move in a long game to control not just the ballot box, but the silver screen too.
Whether this blockbuster dream becomes reality depends on business deals, studio politics, and whether Hollywood is willing to dance to Trump’s beat again.
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