Trump-backed director, accused of sexual misconduct, making Rush Hour 4'

"It looks like President Donald Trump has gotten his way in convincing his friends at Paramount to greenlight a new Rush Hour film and for the studio to hire a controversial filmmaker, accused by six women of sexual misconduct, to direct the fourth movie in the once-popular buddy-cop franchise. Paramount Skydance, which is run by David Ellison and his father Larry Ellison, will let Brett Ratner direct the new Rush Hour sequel, according to Puck co-founder Matthew Belloni."

"Ratner has long shopped the idea of rebooting the Rush Hour franchise, with stars Chan and Tucker revising their roles as police detectives with different approaches to crime-solving, according to Belloni. But Ratner had no success, especially after 2017. Not many studio heads would want to be seen on the red carpet with him. But according to Belloni, another issue is that Chan is 71 and is probably no longer in top-fighting shape, while Tucker hasn't headlined a studio movie since Rush Hour 3 in 2007."

"Ratner's fortunes with Rush Hour began to turn a couple months ago, according to Belloni. That's when Trump's friend and supporter, Larry Ellison, who owns a major stake in Paramount, and David Ellison, the studio's new CEO, reportedly had conversations with the White House about the studio taking on Rush Hour 4 at the urging of Trump, according to Belloni."

Paramount Skydance will let Brett Ratner direct Rush Hour 4 despite his retreat from Hollywood after credible 2017 accusations of sexual harassment and assault by multiple women, including Olivia Munn and Natasha Henstridge. Ratner directed the first three Rush Hour films starring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker and has long proposed rebooting the franchise. Larry Ellison and David Ellison reportedly engaged the White House at President Trump's urging about reviving the project, shifting Ratner's fortunes. The casting faces logistical and reputational concerns: Chan is 71 and likely past peak fighting condition, and Tucker has not headlined a studio film since 2007.

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