In a surprising intersection of politics and Hollywood, former President Donald Trump is reportedly the driving force behind the revival of the popular 'Rush Hour' movie franchise. According to a report from Semafor, Trump personally lobbied Larry Ellison, a friend and the largest shareholder of Paramount, to greenlight a new installment.
The Push for a Pop Culture Comeback
Trump's direct involvement highlights his continued interest in shaping the entertainment landscape. The 'Rush Hour' series, starring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker, was a major box office success in the late 1990s and 2000s. The news of its revival was officially confirmed by Deadline on Tuesday, revealing that Paramount is moving forward with a fourth film.
The project will see the return of the original stars, Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker, reprising their iconic buddy-cop roles. In a controversial move, Brett Ratner is set to direct the sequel. The film will be distributed on behalf of Warner Bros., a studio that has since severed its professional relationship with Ratner following multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, including accusations from actor Olivia Munn in 2017.
Political Ties and Corporate Shake-ups
The key figure in this revival, Larry Ellison, is not just a tech billionaire but also a significant political player. Ellison has been a major donor to Republican politicians since at least 2012. His political alignment has shifted over the years from being a staunch Democrat to a more conservative figure. The New York Times reported that he has participated in transition meetings, and The Washington Post noted his involvement in a conference call discussing strategies to challenge the 2020 election results after Joe Biden's victory.
This entertainment news is set against the backdrop of a major corporate merger. In August, Paramount merged with Skydance after receiving approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). David Ellison, Larry Ellison's son, is now the CEO of the combined entity. There have been further reports suggesting Trump's influence extended to this merger, with claims that Paramount offered to settle a lawsuit Trump filed against CBS's '60 Minutes' and to cancel 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' to gain regulatory approval. CBS, owned by Paramount, has denied these allegations.
A Pattern of Pop Culture Commentary
This is not an isolated incident of Trump engaging with popular culture. The former president, who was once a fixture in the entertainment business himself, has frequently voiced his opinions on Hollywood. He recently criticized the choice of Bad Bunny as the Super Bowl halftime performer for 2026, calling it "absolutely ridiculous." Furthermore, Trump has announced plans to host a UFC fight at the White House next year to celebrate the country's 250th birthday.
As for Brett Ratner, his recent work includes a documentary about former first lady Melania Trump, scheduled for a theatrical release in January. Neither Paramount nor the White House has provided an official comment on the reports surrounding the 'Rush Hour' revival.
