Actors Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan arrive at the premiere of “Rush Hour 3” at Mann’s Chinese Theater on July 30, 2007 in Hollywood, California.
Jeff Vespa | Wire Images | Getty Images
paramount The revival was brought forward after President Donald Trump asked Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison to rescue the long-stalled buddy cop film series, according to multiple reports.
Paramount secured financing for the film and signed a distribution deal. warner bros discoveryfirst reported by Puck’s Matthew Belloni, who previously owned the franchise under the New Line banner.
The project had stalled for years. The studio had been approached several times for a new film, but they were reluctant to work with director Brett Ratner. Ratner’s career fell apart in 2017 when multiple actors accused him of sexual misconduct. Mr. Ratner denies the charges and has not been charged.
Under the deal, Paramount would collect a flat distribution fee when a film is released theatrically, while Warner Bros. would receive an undisclosed share of the box office revenue before investors recoup their costs, first reported.
Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery responded to requests for comment.
The first three “Rush Hour” films were global hits, especially in China, earning more than $850 million worldwide, according to box office estimates, and making stars of Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. But the new sequel faces a changing theatrical landscape, where comedies have struggled at the box office. At 71, Chan has scaled back his work at American studios, and Tucker hasn’t starred in a major film since 2007.
President Trump’s intervention in Hollywood has drawn criticism. He has unofficially used allies such as Sylvester Stallone, Jon Voight and Mel Gibson as cultural ambassadors, and has repeatedly said he wants to restore what he calls “classical masculinity” to studio filmmaking.
The White House did not respond to requests for comment.
For Paramount, the return of “Rush Hour” comes as the newly combined studio nearly doubles its output, targeting 15 films by 2026 and up to 18 by 2028.
This timing is Paramount Skydance, comcast and Netflix The portfolio includes some of entertainment’s most valuable franchises, from DC to Harry Potter.
Paramount is bidding for all of Warner Bros.’s stock. The offer, previously valued at about $23.50 per share, would place the entire company (studio, HBO Max, cable network) under one owner.
Comcast is reportedly interested in studio and streaming properties such as Warner Bros. and HBO Max. The deal would bring those parts into NBCUniversal, with Warner Bros. Discovery spinning off CNN and TNT Sports before the deal closes. Netflix is also interested in the film and the streaming property, a person familiar with the matter previously told CNBC.
CNBC previously reported that Warner Bros. Discovery aims to complete the sale by mid-to-late December.
Disclosure: Comcast is the parent company of NBCUniversal, which owns CNBC. With Comcast’s planned Versant spinoff, Versant will become CNBC’s new parent company.
