Donald Trump is somehow responsible for ‘Rush Hour 4’ happening

After nearly two decades in limbo, the Rush Hour franchise is moving again, reportedly after a push from US President Donald Trump. Multiple outlets claim he personally urged key figures connected to Paramount to revisit the long-stalled sequel, giving Rush Hour 4 the momentum it had lacked for years.

The action-comedy series, originally fronted by Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker, became a staple of early-2000s cinema. Although talk of a fourth instalment has surfaced on and off for over a decade, the project appeared to be effectively shelved. Recent reports now suggest it is back in active development.

Industry insiders say Chan and Tucker are expected to return to their roles. Neither actor has publicly confirmed their involvement at the time of writing, and the studio has not released an official casting announcement. Even so, the potential reunion has been enough to reignite interest across social media, with fans revisiting iconic scenes and quotes from the original films.

The revival also comes with controversy. Brett Ratner, the director behind the first three Rush Hour films, is reportedly attached to the project despite stepping away from Hollywood following multiple sexual misconduct allegations in 2017. His possible return has already divided opinion, with some questioning whether nostalgia should outweigh unresolved concerns from the past.

Another figure linked to the revival is billionaire investor Larry Ellison, a major stakeholder connected to Paramount’s parent company. Reports suggest he was among those approached as part of the effort to move the project forward, underlining how closely entertainment, business and politics can intersect behind closed doors.

There is currently no confirmed script, release date or production timeline. Studio sources continue to describe the film as “in the works” rather than officially greenlit. Still, in an era filled with reboots and revivals, few have arrived with a backstory as unusual as this one.

For a franchise built on unlikely partnerships and off-beat scenarios, its real-life resurrection feels strangely on brand. Whether Rush Hour 4 ultimately makes it to cinemas remains to be seen, but for now, its unexpected return has already captured global attention.