Former U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly applying personal pressure on Oracle CEO Larry Ellison to greenlight a new installment in the popular Rush Hour action-comedy film series. This unexpected foray into Hollywood development highlights the ongoing intersection of politics, business, and entertainment.
The Paramount Power Play
According to a report from Semafor, which cited a person directly familiar with the discussions, Trump personally pressed Ellison to get the project moving. The request carries significant weight due to Ellison's newfound influence in the media landscape. Earlier this year, his son, David Ellison, finalized a merger between Skydance and Paramount Global, effectively putting Larry Ellison in a position of control at the media giant.
This is not the first time the Ellison family's media ambitions have intersected with Trump's interests. To secure regulatory approval for the Paramount merger, the company made several concessions viewed as favourable to Trump. With a potential bid for Warner Bros. Discovery now on the table, the dynamics of this relationship are once again under scrutiny.
CNN and The Rush Hour Connection
The web of connections extends further. White House officials have allegedly spoken with Larry Ellison about the possibility of firing certain CNN anchors that Trump dislikes. CNN is a key asset within the Warner portfolio, which also owns New Line Cinema—the original studio behind the Rush Hour trilogy.
The first three Rush Hour films, released in 1998, 2001, and 2007, starred Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker and were directed by Brett Ratner. Ratner's career was upended in 2017 when multiple allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced, leading Warner Bros. to sever ties with him.
Since then, Ratner directed a documentary about Melania Trump, who also served as an executive producer. Amazon reportedly paid $40 million for the rights to this film, with the New York Post stating the former First Lady is set to receive at least $28 million from the deal.
Implications for Hollywood and Politics
The potential revival of Rush Hour at the behest of a former president underscores the blurred lines between political influence and corporate entertainment decisions. The situation raises questions about artistic independence and the leverage held by powerful business figures with political ties. As consolidation in the media industry continues, the ability of political figures to shape content from behind the scenes remains a developing story with significant consequences for the future of film and television.
