Paramount has confirmed that director Brett Ratner’s Rush Hour 4 is now in the works after President Donald Trump reportedly urged producers to consider a fourth entry in the blockbuster buddy-cop film series.

The film is set to bring martial arts star Jackie Chan and actor Chris Tucker back together sources say. The series has followed the exploits of Hong Kong Detective Inspector Lee played by Chan and LAPD Detective James Carter played by Tucker who go on action-packed crime solving adventures.

Both stars have long expressed an interest in a fourth outing for their characters. Indeed Chan was telling fans a Rush Hour 4 was in the works only a few months ago.

Sources now say that Paramount is preparing to shell out a flat distribution fee to release Rush Hour 4 in theaters according to Variety. But Warner Bros. will also back the film with its New Line label which backed the original films.

The effort to bring the fourth film to the big screen hit snags over the years despite efforts to get the film green lighted by Ratner. Now it appears that President Trump’s backing of a fourth film in the series has pushed the project into overdrive. The news broke after Trump reportedly went to bat with Paramount for Ratner’s project according to reports.

Ratner who is putting finishing touches on the 40 million dollar documentary about First Lady Melania Trump that he directed and produced helmed the first Rush Hour. That original film was a huge hit in 1998 earning 244 million dollars globally. The follow ups Rush Hour 2 in 2001 and Rush Hour 3 in 2007 earned even more at the box office with 347 million and 258 million dollars respectively.

Meanwhile Melania is set to hit theaters all around the world this January. The project will also stream exclusively on Amazon Prime.

The film will follow the First Lady as she orchestrates inauguration plans, navigates the complexities of the White House transition, and reenters public life with her family. With exclusive footage capturing critical meetings, private conversations, and never-before-seen environments, Melania showcases Mrs. Trump’s return to one of the world’s most powerful roles.

Trump’s intervention represents a significant moment in the ongoing culture war between conservatives and Hollywood. For years the entertainment industry has blacklisted filmmakers and actors who support Trump or conservative causes. The president is now using his influence to help allies break through those barriers.

Ratner faced his own exile from major studio projects in recent years. His willingness to direct the Melania documentary showed he was not afraid to work with the Trump family despite potential backlash from industry gatekeepers.

The fact that Trump personally advocated for Rush Hour 4 demonstrates his loyalty to those who support him. When Ratner took on the First Lady’s documentary project Trump remembered and returned the favor by pushing for the director’s long-desired sequel.

Chan at 71 and Tucker at 54 are both older than when they last appeared in the franchise in 2007. But audiences have shown strong appetite for legacy sequels featuring beloved characters returning after many years. The nostalgia factor alone could drive significant ticket sales.

The original Rush Hour films succeeded because they brought different cultures together through humor and action. Chan’s disciplined Hong Kong cop played perfectly against Tucker’s fast-talking American detective. Their chemistry made audiences laugh while appreciating their differences.

This approach stands in contrast to modern Hollywood’s obsession with identity politics and division. The Rush Hour franchise found comedy in cultural clashes without being mean-spirited or preachy. It celebrated differences rather than weaponizing them.

Trump’s support for reviving the franchise sends a message about the kind of entertainment he wants to see. Films that unite audiences through shared laughter are preferable to projects that lecture viewers about social justice causes.

Paramount and Warner Bros. both backing the project shows major studios recognize the commercial potential. The three previous Rush Hour films combined earned nearly 850 million dollars at the box office. A fourth entry could easily add to that total.

The announcement comes as the Melania documentary prepares for its January theatrical release followed by Amazon Prime streaming. Ratner’s relationship with the Trump family appears to be paying dividends for his career after years of being shut out of major projects.

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