According to multiple media reports, Paramount is preparing to shoot "Rush Hour 4" after nearly 20 years, after US President Donald Trump urged Paramount's Skydance CEO David Ellison to save the long-stalled police movie series.
Reports say Paramount has raised financing for the film and has a distribution deal with Warner Bros. Discovery, whose New Line owns the rights to the film franchise.
Under the deal, Paramount will receive a fixed distribution fee to release the film theatrically, while Warner Bros. will receive an undisclosed share of box office revenue before investors recoup their costs.
The first three films in the "Rush Hour" series were hugely successful around the world, with global box office estimates exceeding $850 million. But Trump's meddling in Hollywood has drawn criticism. He has informally invited allies including Sylvester Stallone, Jon Voight and Mel Gibson to serve as cultural ambassadors and has repeatedly said he wants to restore what he calls "classic masculinity" in filmmaking.
For Paramount, the revival of "Rush Hour" comes as the newly merged company plans to nearly double its film output, with a goal of 15 films in 2026 and 18 by 2028.