Rush Hour 4 in Early Discussions, But Director Brett Ratner’s Role Remains Contentious

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As someone who has spent years observing the ebb and flow of Hollywood, I find myself both intrigued and dismayed by the potential return of Brett Ratner to the director’s chair for Rush Hour 4. On one hand, I remember the excitement his films brought in the ’90s and early 2000s. The first Rush Hour was a cultural phenomenon that sparked countless imitations and left an indelible mark on action comedy.

As a lifestyle expert looking back at July’s events, I find myself reflecting on the greenlight meeting held by Lionsgate executives regarding Rush Hour 4, the anticipated sequel in the action-comedy franchise. The studio is keen to expand its portfolio, aligning this new project with our successful John Wick series while tapping into audience longing for familiar intellectual properties, making it an intriguing prospect for them.

Nevertheless, Ratner refuted claims of sexual misconduct and was subsequently removed from his agency. Since then, he hasn’t produced a film and has denied any contact regarding Rush Hour 4, labeling the inquiry as riddled with “inaccuracies” and declined to make additional comments.

As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Warner Bros., the distributor behind the Rush Hour movie series, has given permission for the films to be distributed elsewhere, acknowledging their profitable status. Seasoned executive Tarak Ben Ammar, known for his work on Equalizer 3 among others, now holds the rights to produce a fourth installment of Rush Hour under his Eagle Pictures label. Ben Ammar, who recently acquired the Weinstein Co. library, is currently in discussions with potential collaborators regarding the film. Arthur Sarkissian, the original producer of the Rush Hour franchise, is set to produce this new project alongside Eagle Pictures.

Over the years, Ratner has been trying to make a fourth Rush Hour movie, but he’s faced obstacles from studios like Paramount and Sony. There have been rumors about Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan possibly starring in it, yet no official announcements have been made. Both actors have voiced their interest in reprising their roles for the upcoming Rush Hour film, but as of now, nothing is set in stone.

Ratner had a successful career as a music video and studio filmmaker in the ’90s and 2000s, before his big break with the first Rush Hour film in 1998. He directed the next two movies, with a collective franchise gross of more than $500 million at the domestic box office alone. 

2017 saw me, as a passionate admirer, finding myself shaken by a Los Angeles Times expose where six women alleged Brett Ratner’s inappropriate behavior towards them. Among these brave accusers was Natasha Henstridge, who claimed he forced himself upon her sexually, and Olivia Munn, who described an uncomfortable incident where Ratner exposed himself to her while delivering food to his trailer, masturbating in front of her.

As a diehard Rush Hour fanatic, I’m beyond excited about the upcoming fourth installment! However, to make this dream a reality, we need some crucial partners. For our home turf, I’m looking for distributors who can get their hands on this ready-made franchise gem. On the global stage, Warner Bros. steps in as our licensing partner, securing the rights for a fee. Importantly, let me clarify that the library rights to previous Rush Hour films are not under our control.

1. A possible new Rush Hour movie demonstrates a popular trend in Hollywood, where a single studio’s intellectual property can become another’s franchise, and reminiscence of past successes is commercially viable. The Accountant 2, helmed by Ben Affleck, was purchased for an unspecified amount from Warner Bros by Artists Equity, signifying a change in the industry, where one studio’s property can be taken over by another as a franchise.

In terms of box office performance, this year hasn’t been kind to big-budget releases. For instance, Lionsgate’s video game adaptation Borderlands underperformed significantly, generating only $13 million at the domestic box office. Similarly, Universal’s action comedy The Fall Guy, despite earning $92 million in North American sales, has still been considered a letdown.

1. The fourth film in the Bad Boys series, titled Bad Boys 4, has brought in approximately $400 million worldwide, with $200 million of that coming from domestic box office sales. In an entertainment industry where box office earnings have been low, a movie like Rush Hour 4, which is based on an established franchise and partially covers its own risk, presents an appealing prospect. This is because it offers the opportunity to cash in on the success of the series.

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2024-08-22 12:08