In an unexpected blend of politics and pop culture, President Donald Trump has reportedly played a pivotal role in resurrecting the long-dormant Rush Hour franchise, greenlighting Rush Hour 4 at Paramount Pictures. This move marks a rare instance of Oval Office influence extending into the entertainment industry, spotlighting Trump’s affinity for action-comedy classics and his ties to key Hollywood figures.
The Rush Hour series, which debuted in 1998, follows the mismatched duo of Hong Kong detective Lee (Jackie Chan) and LAPD officer James Carter (Chris Tucker) as they tackle international crime with high-octane action and sharp humor. The first three films, directed by Brett Ratner, grossed over $850 million worldwide, with particular success in markets like China, where Chan’s stardom helped propel the box office. Despite this legacy, plans for a fourth installment had stalled for years, largely due to studio hesitations and Ratner’s career setbacks following sexual misconduct allegations in 2017—claims he has denied and for which he faced no charges.
Enter President Trump. According to reports, Trump personally lobbied Paramount Skydance executives, including leveraging his relationship with Larry Ellison, the billionaire Oracle founder and father of Paramount’s chairman and CEO, David Ellison. Ellison, a prominent Trump supporter, reportedly facilitated the revival after the president’s direct intervention on Ratner’s behalf. This isn’t Ratner’s first brush with the Trump administration; in late 2024, he directed a documentary about First Lady Melania Trump, acquired by Amazon Prime for a staggering $40 million.
The deal structure itself is unconventional. Paramount will handle theatrical distribution for a flat fee, while Warner Bros. Discovery—original home of the franchise under its New Line Cinema banner—secures a share of first-dollar gross from box office receipts. This revenue-sharing arrangement comes amid broader industry shifts, including Paramount’s ambitious plans to ramp up production from eight films annually to 15 by 2026, 17 by 2027, and 18 by 2028. Meanwhile, Warner Bros. is in the midst of a potential sale, with bids from Paramount, Comcast, and Netflix valuing its assets at around $23.50 per share.
Trump’s involvement aligns with his broader cultural agenda. The president has publicly advocated for a return to “classical masculinity” in American filmmaking, enlisting allies like Sylvester Stallone, Jon Voight, and Mel Gibson as informal cultural emissaries. Critics argue this push tests the boundaries of executive power, blurring lines between governance and entertainment. “It’s one thing to support the arts; it’s another to handpick projects,” noted one industry insider in response to the news.
For fans, the revival is a nostalgic win. Jackie Chan, now 71, has reduced his U.S. studio commitments but is set to reprise his role alongside Chris Tucker, who hasn’t headlined a major film since Rush Hour 3 in 2007. Ratner returns as director, marking his first feature since 2014’s Hercules. However, the project faces headwinds in a post-pandemic market where comedies have underperformed at the box office, and audience tastes have shifted toward streaming and superhero fare.
As Rush Hour 4 gears up for production, it symbolizes more than just a sequel—it’s a testament to Trump’s unconventional influence, potentially reshaping how politics intersects with Hollywood. Whether this leads to box office gold or controversy remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the rush is back on.