After more than two decades, Rush Hour 4 is officially back — not because of box office trends, fan petitions, or studio strategy, but because Donald J. Trump, the 45th President of the United States and now serving a second term since January 20, 2025, personally called Larry Ellison, the 80-year-old billionaire founder of Oracle Corporation, and asked him to greenlight it. The announcement came on November 23, 2025, when Paramount Pictures, now under the ownership of Skydance Media, confirmed production of the fourth installment in the buddy-cop franchise. Jackie Chan, 71, and Chris Tucker will reprise their iconic roles as Inspector Lee and Detective James Carter, more than 18 years after Rush Hour 3 hit theaters on August 10, 2007.
How a President Changed Hollywood’s Mind
The studio had been hesitant. Despite the franchise’s $831.8 million global box office haul — $244.4 million for the first film, $329.3 million for the second, and $258.1 million for the third — Paramount had shelved any sequel plans since 2017. Why? Because Brett Ratner, the director of all three previous films, was publicly accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women. He was removed from the 90th Academy Awards, dropped from projects, and became a toxic brand. Even in a climate where studios increasingly avoid controversy, Ratner’s name alone was enough to kill a project.That changed when Trump, according to reports from CNBC, Variety, and Semafor, made a direct appeal to Ellison — a longtime financial backer and one of his most influential allies. Ellison, who recently acquired Paramount Pictures, reportedly didn’t hesitate. The president didn’t just suggest it; he pushed. Hard. And he didn’t do it for ratings or nostalgia. He did it because he believes Rush Hour represents something he wants to bring back to Hollywood: unapologetic, action-packed, male-driven entertainment.
The Cultural Backlash and the Trump Doctrine
Film producer Dallas Sonnier told Semafor that Trump’s influence is fueling a deliberate shift in studio priorities. "We’re seeing a wave of classically male-driven movies with mentally tough, traditional, courageous, confident heroes. Maybe even a tad cocky, but dedicated to honor and duty. Plus, of course, a few explosions, gun battles, helicopters, fistfights, and car chases!" That’s the new mandate, Sonnier added — a rejection of what Trump calls "soft, performative cinema."Trump has quietly recruited cultural emissaries to help him reshape Hollywood. Sylvester Stallone, 79, and Mel Gibson, 69, are among those he’s consulted informally. Both are known for roles that embody rugged individualism — Rocky, Rambo, Mad Max — and both have faced their own controversies, yet remain popular with Trump’s base. The message is clear: art that celebrates strength, loyalty, and spectacle is back in fashion.
But here’s the twist: Rush Hour’s humor — built on physical comedy, martial arts, and gags rooted in racial stereotypes — might have been considered offensive even five years ago. Semafor noted that "Rush Hour’s broad racial humor might have been unwelcome a few years ago (if not much earlier)." Now, under Trump’s cultural umbrella, it’s being framed as "classic," "timeless," and "unapologetically American." Whether audiences still find it funny — or whether they find it dated — remains to be seen.
The Business Behind the Blockbuster
Paramount’s decision isn’t just about nostalgia. It’s part of a broader corporate strategy. Skydance Media, which acquired Paramount in 2024, plans to increase its annual film output from eight to fifteen by 2026. They need hits — fast. And they’re betting that the Rush Hour brand, despite its age, still has global recognition, especially in Asia and among older demographics. Chan remains a box office draw in China, and Tucker’s manic energy still has a cult following.But the odds are stacked against them. Chan hasn’t starred in a major U.S. studio film since 2019’s Chinese New Year, and Tucker hasn’t headlined anything since 2007. Theatrical comedies have cratered since the pandemic — the genre now accounts for less than 5% of domestic box office revenue, down from nearly 15% in the early 2000s. Even Deadpool and Bad Boys had to lean heavily on action and franchise loyalty to survive.
The Ripple Effect: Beyond the Screen
Trump’s intervention didn’t stop at Paramount. According to The Guardian, Ellison and White House officials have discussed potential leadership changes if Oracle successfully acquires Warner Bros. Discovery. Names like CNN’s Erin Burnett, 52, and Brianna Keilar, 45, have reportedly been flagged for possible termination. The move, if executed, would mark the first time a U.S. president has used corporate acquisition as leverage to influence media personnel.And then there’s the UFC. Semafor reported that Paramount Pictures is in talks to broadcast a live Ultimate Fighting Championship event on the White House lawn in Washington, D.C. — a spectacle that would blend sports, politics, and entertainment into one surreal package. No precedent exists. No legal framework has been established. But with Trump in the White House and Ellison owning the studio, the idea isn’t being dismissed. It’s being planned.
What Comes Next?
Production is slated to begin in early 2026, with Ratner returning as director. He recently wrapped a documentary on Melania Trump for Amazon Prime Video — a project that, like Rush Hour 4, seems less about art and more about alignment. The script is reportedly in development, with early drafts leaning into the original formula: mistaken identities, cultural clashes, and a final chase through a city that’s either Los Angeles or Hong Kong — no one’s decided yet.But here’s the real question: Will anyone show up? The last time Rush Hour opened, TikTok didn’t exist. Streaming was in its infancy. Movie theaters weren’t struggling. Today, audiences crave authenticity, representation, and nuance. Can a film built on 1990s stereotypes survive in 2026?
Maybe not. But Trump doesn’t care about box office math. He cares about symbolism. And for him, Rush Hour 4 isn’t just a movie. It’s a statement: that the old rules — the loud ones, the bold ones, the ones that made people laugh and cheer — are coming back.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Donald Trump involved in a movie sequel?
Trump intervened directly with Larry Ellison, Paramount’s owner and his key financial backer, to revive the franchise as part of his broader campaign to restore what he calls "classical masculinity" in Hollywood. His team sees films like Rush Hour as cultural symbols of traditional values — action, humor, and male camaraderie — that they believe have been sidelined by modern cinema.
Is Brett Ratner still a viable director after the 2017 allegations?
Ratner was ostracized by Hollywood after multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct in 2017, leading to his removal from the Oscars and other projects. He denies all allegations and was never criminally charged. His return on Rush Hour 4 signals a deliberate break from industry norms, made possible only because Trump’s political influence overrides traditional studio caution.
Will Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker still be appealing to modern audiences?
Chan has largely stepped away from U.S. studio films since 2019, and Tucker hasn’t headlined a major movie since 2007. Their appeal now lies in nostalgia, not new fan acquisition. The film’s success will hinge on whether older viewers — who remember the original trilogy — are willing to return to theaters, and whether younger audiences tolerate its dated humor.
How does this affect the future of Hollywood?
This marks the first time a sitting U.S. president has directly influenced a studio’s greenlight decision based on cultural ideology. If successful, it could embolden other political figures to intervene in entertainment. It also signals that corporate power — when aligned with political influence — can override ethical and creative norms, setting a dangerous precedent for artistic independence.
Why is Paramount pushing for 15 films a year now?
Skydance Media acquired Paramount in 2024 and aims to compete with Netflix and Disney by flooding the market with content. With streaming profits declining and theater attendance still sluggish, they’re betting on franchises, nostalgia, and politically aligned projects to guarantee returns — even if the films are risky or controversial.
Could the UFC event on the White House lawn actually happen?
It’s legally unprecedented and logistically complex, but with Trump’s administration pushing for spectacle and Paramount’s ownership of broadcast rights, it’s not being treated as fantasy. White House officials and Paramount executives have reportedly held preliminary discussions. If it happens, it would blur the lines between government, entertainment, and sports in a way never seen before in American history.