Trump wants to revive the Rush Hour franchise. Is he eyeing a return to Hollywood?

"Similarly, having solved the Middle East and Ukraine issues with only a couple of technicalities to iron out and put an end to so many other wars as well, Donald Trump may also be tempted to sob at having run out of important tasks. And yet, just as he is about to kneel in anguish on the Oval Office carpet, he is apparently perking up at the thought of one more mighty challenge."

"He can revive the Rush Hour movie franchise! Larry Ellison, the largest shareholder of Paramount Skydance which, earlier this year, as Paramount Global, settled a lawsuit with Trump not dissimilar to the one he's recently threatened the BBC with has reportedly been leant on by the commander in chief to revive the affectionately remembered Rush Hour films the knockabout buddy cop adventures starring Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan."

"A fourth Rush Hour film is reportedly a central part of Trump's second-term project a dream of reintroducing some old-fashioned masculinity into Hollywood culture and it would moreover create some employment for that unlovely Tinseltown hombre who directed the first three Rush Hour films Brett Ratner. Ratner was accused of sexual assault in 2017, allegations which he denied. But, with privileged access, has now directed a $40m documentary about Melania Trump the kind of film that can only be described as soft-hitting."

Donald Trump aims to revive the Rush Hour movie franchise as part of a second-term project to reintroduce old-fashioned masculinity into Hollywood. Larry Ellison, largest shareholder of Paramount Skydance, has reportedly been pressured to back the revival after a recent settlement between Paramount Global and Trump. A new Rush Hour film would provide work for Brett Ratner, who directed the first three films and was accused of sexual assault in 2017, allegations he denied. Ratner has recently directed a $40m documentary about Melania Trump with privileged access. Market forces would likely have produced a fourth Rush Hour film or a reboot already if audience demand were strong.

Read at www.theguardian.com