The Rush Hour revival is now officially happening.
Paramount is set to distribute the next Rush Hour sequel from Brett Ratner, marking the director’s first major studio return since 2017, and confirming the same scenario reported in the Trump “popular culture push” coverage.
As we also went over, Trump happens to be a big Ben Affleck Batman fan. Well, as of Dec. 1, WB is putting various Batman movies on Paramount+.
Now Paramount teams with WB for Rush Hour, reportedly on Trump’s recommendation who favors Paramount Skydance winning the bid to buy Warner Bros. Discovery.
More below.
Lionsgate debated whether to make Rush Hour 4 and work with Ratner in July 2024 but after internal discussion, decided against it. But that was before Donald Trump reportedly decided to step in. https://t.co/vv3Ho0628Y
— Borys Kit (@Borys_Kit) November 25, 2025
Paramount and Warner Bros. Join Forces at a Critical Moment
Deadline confirms that Paramount is releasing the new Rush Hour film on behalf of Warner Bros., collecting a double-digit-percent distribution fee. It’s an unusual partnership because Paramount’s new owner, David Ellison, is actively bidding to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery.
This also marks one of the first Paramount–WB collaborations since Ellison took control of the studio.
Multiple studios reportedly passed on distributing the film, including New Line, the Warner subsidiary that launched the franchise and helped turn Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker into global box-office stars. The trilogy grossed $850 million worldwide, but Ratner’s Hollywood exile stalled development for years.
Tucker and Chan Returning for Rush Hour 4
The sequel brings back Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan, who last appeared together in Rush Hour 3 in 2007. The franchise began in 1998 and remains one of the most successful action-comedy series ever produced.
Deadline notes that the film has been shopped around since 2024, with original producer Arthur Sarkissian staying involved, and rights controlled by Tarak Ben Ammar of Eagle Pictures.
Ratner’s Controversial Return
Ratner was pushed out of Hollywood in 2017 after multiple sexual misconduct accusations, which he denied. He sued one accuser for defamation, and both sides later agreed to settle. No major studio would touch his projects afterward.
His re-entry happened earlier this year when Amazon acquired his Melania Trump documentary, scheduled to hit theaters on January 30. That project opened the door for a studio comeback.
Trump’s Reported Role Behind the Scenes
Semafor reported on Sunday that President Donald Trump personally urged the Ellisons to revive Rush Hour. THR backed the claim, noting that Trump’s push happened while Paramount and Skydance positioned themselves as top contenders to acquire WBD.
Trump also reportedly pressed for Bloodsport to return as part of his push to influence “popular culture.”
