In July 2024, Lionsgate executives met to discuss making Rush Hour 4. The studio is interested in creating new movies to go along with their successful John Wick series. They see Rush Hour 4 as a way to bring back a popular franchise and attract fans with a familiar title.
Brett Ratner’s Controversy
The film could potentially have Brett Ratner as the director and producer. However, Ratner’s involvement is causing problems. He has been absent from Hollywood since 2017 due to allegations of sexual misconduct. Although Ratner has denied these accusations and has not made a film since, his past issues are creating difficulties for the film’s progress.
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Current Status and Challenges
Warner Bros., which used to distribute the Rush Hour films, has allowed the movie rights to be licensed elsewhere. Tarak Ben Ammar, a veteran film executive, is working on bringing Rush Hour 4 to life through his company, Eagle Pictures. Ben Ammar is working with Arthur Sarkissian, the original producer of the franchise.
Despite Ratner’s desire to be involved, studios like Paramount and Sony are hesitant. Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan, stars of the original films, are interested in returning, but their involvement is not yet confirmed.
Box Office Trends and Opportunities
In a year where many new movies have not performed well at the box office, Rush Hour 4 could be an attractive project for studios. Recent films, like Lionsgate’s Borderlands and Universal’s The Fall Guy, have not done well, while the Bad Boys 4 film has been a hit. Rush Hour 4 offers a chance to build on the success of an established franchise, which is appealing in today’s market.
