Donald Trump Reportedly Pushes for a New ‘Rush Hour’ Movie at Paramount

President Donald Trump is reportedly urging Larry Ellison, the tech billionaire and prominent financial supporter, to bring back the popular action-comedy franchise Rush Hour. Ellison owns Paramount Pictures, which is currently a second-tier studio, and is expected to gain control of Warner Bros’ vast library and production assets.

Trump seems keen on reviving the type of bold, action-packed films that dominated the late 1980s and 1990s. He has expressed particular admiration for classics like the 1988 martial arts film Bloodsport.

According to a source speaking to Semafor, Trump has personally pressed Ellison to consider reviving Rush Hour, the buddy-cop series that originally starred Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker.

The first Rush Hour film was released in 1998 and directed by Brett Ratner. The movie paired Chan’s Hong Kong Police Inspector Lee with Tucker’s Los Angeles detective James Carter in a story about rescuing a kidnapped diplomat’s daughter.

The blend of martial arts, comedy, and action helped the film stand out, and it went on to earn $245 million worldwide. The success of the original led to two sequels, released in 2001 and 2007.

Rush Hour’s production history dates back to 1995, when the script was first sold to Hollywood Pictures. The project was later picked up by New Line Cinema, with principal photography taking place in Los Angeles and Hong Kong from late 1997 to early 1998. Critics praised the film, especially the chemistry between Chan and Tucker, making it one of the most memorable action-comedy films of the era.

Dallas Sonnier, a film producer, suggested that a revival of this era’s films could lead to “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!”

With Trump reportedly involved in creative discussions and Ellison controlling a major studio, the possibility of a new Rush Hour movie could signal a return to the high-octane, comedic action style that made the original series so popular.