Trump's Push for a Rush Hour Revival: Paramount Studios and Larry Ellison's Potential Role
Donald Trump is reportedly urging Paramount studios to revive his favorite film series. As Paramount's owner, Larry Ellison, who is one of Trump's major financial supporters, is set to take over Warner Bros. Discovery, Trump is sharing his ideas for future projects with Ellison. Trump is specifically pushing for another installment of the Rush Hour franchise, the buddy-cop movies directed by Brett Ratner and starring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. These action-packed comedies were popular in the late 1980s and 1990s.
Trump has a known affinity for action movies, citing the 1988 film Bloodsport as one of his favorites. He has expressed his admiration for the fight scenes in the movie and his preference for fast-forwarding through slower parts. In addition to Bloodsport, Trump enjoys classic films like Citizen Kane, Goodfellas, Gone With the Wind, and The Good, The Bad and the Ugly. The Rush Hour series, which began in 1998, was a commercial success, grossing over $245 million worldwide. Despite fan anticipation for a fourth installment, production has been delayed due to various factors.
Jackie Chan mentioned in 2017 that a script for Rush Hour 4 had been completed, but the project faced setbacks following sexual assault allegations against director Brett Ratner. Ratner, who denies the accusations, was dropped by Warner Bros. amid the controversy. However, with Ellison's potential acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, there is speculation that a new Rush Hour movie could be back on the table. Trump's close ties to Ratner could play a role in reviving the franchise.
Ratner's upcoming project, a documentary on Melania Trump, is set to be released on Amazon in January. The documentary will follow the first lady in the days leading up to Trump's 2025 inauguration. The potential collaboration between Trump, Ellison, and Ratner could pave the way for new projects and partnerships in the entertainment industry. The future of the Rush Hour franchise and other potential film ventures remains uncertain, but Trump's influence could shape the direction of Paramount's upcoming projects.