Rush Hour 4 Set to Begin Pre-Production with Original Stars On Board
Pre-production for Rush Hour 4 is reportedly scheduled to commence within the coming weeks, marking a significant revival of the beloved buddy cop franchise. Original stars Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker have officially signed on to reprise their iconic roles, less than three months after the project received its green light. This development arrives nearly two decades after the premiere of Rush Hour 3 in 2007, reigniting excitement among fans worldwide.
Age and Training Considerations for the Returning Duo
When filming for the original Rush Hour began in 1997, Chris Tucker was a sprightly 26-year-old, and Jackie Chan was a youthful 43. Today, at ages 54 and 71 respectively, the duo faces the physical demands of action-packed sequences. However, a source revealed to TMZ on Thursday that shooting will not begin until the fall, providing several months for rigorous training and preparation.
Jackie Chan, who holds the Guinness World Record for most stunts performed by a living actor with 100, has endured numerous injuries throughout his career. These include a dislocated pelvis, a fractured skull, and broken bones in his fingers, toes, nose, cheekbones, hips, sternum, neck, ankle, and ribs. Despite these challenges, his commitment to the franchise remains unwavering.
Director Brett Ratner's Controversial Return
The buddy cop franchise's original director, Brett Ratner, has also signed on to co-produce and helm the fourth installment. Rumors suggest the film will be set in Moscow, adding a new international backdrop to the series. This marks Ratner's official return to Hollywood after Warner Bros. severed all ties with him in 2017 following allegations of sexual misconduct from several actresses, including Olivia Munn, Natasha Henstridge, and Elliot Page. Ratner has denied these allegations.
Ratner's recent projects have faced commercial and critical challenges. His Amazon documentary Melania, released after a decade-long hiatus, has earned only $9.5 million against a $40 million budget, excluding a $28 million fee, and received overwhelmingly negative reviews.
Political Connections and Franchise History
According to a source cited by Semafor last November, former President Donald Trump personally pressed Paramount Pictures owner Larry Ellison to revive the Rush Hour franchise. Trump, whose favorite film is reportedly Bloodsport from 1998, has been linked to the project through various connections.
Rush Hour producer Arthur Sarkissian was behind Christopher Martini's 2024 documentary on Trump, titled The Man You Don't Know. Both Chan and Tucker have expressed supportive views of Trump in the past. In 2016, Chan told Yahoo Celebrity that Americans should give Trump a chance, praising his business acumen. Similarly, Tucker stated in a 2018 interview with Piers Morgan that he wanted Trump to be successful and do the right thing.
It is worth noting that Ratner, Tucker, and Trump are all mentioned and pictured multiple times in the Epstein files, though no direct involvement has been proven. When asked about Jeffrey Epstein, Ratner stammered through an interview with Piers Morgan, claiming he was with his redacted fiancée despite her not wearing a ring in photos.
Box Office Success and Spin-Offs
Creator Ross LaManna's first three Rush Hour films, released between 1998 and 2007, centered on Hong Kong Police Force Chief Inspector Lee (Chan) and LAPD Detective James Carter (Tucker). Despite increasingly negative reviews, the trilogy amassed an impressive $850.8 million at the global box office, solidifying its place in action-comedy history.
A television spin-off series, created by Bill Lawrence and Blake McCormick and starring Justin Hires and Jon Foo, aired in 2016 but was canceled by CBS after only one season. Meanwhile, Chris Tucker is scheduled to perform stand-up comedy this Friday at The Dome by Rutter Mills in Virginia Beach, VA, following his controversial appearance at the Riyadh Comedy Festival last year.
Jackie Chan shows no signs of slowing down, having starred in films like Unexpected Family, The Shadow's Edge, and Karate Kid: Legends last year. As pre-production gears up, the return of Chan and Tucker promises to deliver the high-energy action and comedic chemistry that defined the original films, albeit with the seasoned experience of their advanced years.
