Rush Hour 4 Moves Ahead Despite Jackie Chan’s Age Worries
Rush Hour 4 is officially in the works after direct pressure from Donald Trump, but Jackie Chan’s concerns about performing stunts at his age linger. Find out what’s next for the iconic action-comedy duo.
Production on the next instalment of the Rush Hour series is finally underway, with the green light coming after Donald Trump reportedly leaned on Paramount to get things moving. The announcement lands just as the franchise’s stars, Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker, have been voicing their doubts about keeping up with the physical demands of the action-packed films as they get older. Chan, in particular, has joked that if they don’t hurry, he and Tucker will be “old blokes” still trying to pull off their signature antics.
Ageing Action Stars and the Franchise’s Legacy
The Rush Hour films have always relied on the chemistry between Chan’s straight-laced Inspector Lee and Tucker’s wisecracking Detective Carter. Since the first film hit screens in 1998, the series has raked in over $500 million worldwide. Back then, Chan was 44 and Tucker just 27. By the time the third film rolled around in 2007, they were 53 and 35, respectively. Now, with the fourth entry in the works, Chan is 71 and Tucker is 54. There’s a fair bit of concern among fans about whether Chan can still handle the risky stunts he’s famous for, but he’s shown no signs of slowing down, recently insisting on doing his own stunt work for other projects.
Tucker, meanwhile, is making a return to the spotlight after stepping away from Hollywood at the peak of his career. He’s spoken about wanting more from life than just being the highest-paid actor, taking time out to travel and get involved in humanitarian work. His comeback for Rush Hour 4 is set to be a big moment for long-time fans.
Behind the Scenes: Studio Deals and Political Pressure
Paramount has now sorted out the funding for the new film and struck a distribution deal with Warner Bros, which handled the original trilogy. The push to revive the franchise reportedly came from Trump himself, who urged Oracle’s Larry Ellison—one of his major backers—to bring back a string of classic action films, including Rush Hour. This move follows Paramount’s merger with Skydance, putting Ellison’s son in charge of the studio. There’s also talk of Ellison eyeing a takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, aiming to outbid streaming giants for control of a massive film library.
These behind-the-scenes manoeuvres are shaking up the entertainment industry, with some observers worried about the broader influence of political figures on both film and media. Reports have surfaced about discussions between Ellison and Trump’s team regarding changes at major news outlets, raising questions about the future of journalism and creative freedom if political interests start calling the shots.
What’s Next for Rush Hour and Its Stars?
Despite all the uncertainty, punters can look forward to seeing Chan and Tucker back together for another round of action and laughs. The Rush Hour films remain available to rent or buy on Apple TV and Amazon, but there’s no official word yet on when the new chapter will hit cinemas. For now, fans will have to wait and see how the much-loved duo handle their return to the big screen, especially with Chan’s commitment to doing his own stunts at 71.
What’s your take on seeing Jackie Chan back in action for Rush Hour 4?
Rush Hour 4 doesn’t have a confirmed release date yet.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire