President Donald Trump is reportedly urging billionaire ally Larry Ellison to resurrect the Rush Hour franchise starring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker — which he hopes will be possible if the Ellison family prevails in its bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, according to a report from Semafor.
A source familiar with the discussions told the outlet that Trump has personally encouraged Ellison to bring back the popular 1990s buddy-cop series, along with other big, energetic comedy and action films reminiscent of the late 20th century.
The push comes as Trump has publicly supported the Paramount–Skydance bid to take over Warner Bros. Discovery, a deal in which the Ellison family holds substantial influence. Larry Ellison, the Oracle co-founder, owns a significant stake in Paramount, while his son David Ellison serves as its CEO.
A Franchise with Cultural Staying Power — and Controversy
Released in 1998, Rush Hour became a box-office hit, pairing Chris Tucker’s fast-talking comedic style with Jackie Chan’s martial arts action. The film spawned two sequels, though enthusiasm waned by the third installment in 2007.
The series’ director, Brett Ratner, was later sidelined by Hollywood after six women accused him of sexual misconduct in 2017. However, Ratner has gradually resurfaced in the industry and recently spent months shadowing First Lady Melania Trump for a $40 million Amazon documentary.
The franchise’s producer, Arthur Sarkissian, now runs the company behind “The Man You Don’t Know,” a favorable documentary about Trump featuring members of his family. That film premiered at Mar-a-Lago during Trump’s 2024 campaign.
Trump’s Hollywood Revival Effort
The reported Rush Hour push is part of Trump’s broader interest in reviving 1980s and 1990s pop culture, according to Semafor. Trump is an avowed fan of classic action movies such as Bloodsport, the 1988 Jean-Claude Van Damme film, and has welcomed figures like Sylvester Stallone and Mike Tyson to the White House.
He is even planning to host a UFC fight on the White House lawn with Paramount as the broadcaster, Variety reported.
Producer Dallas Sonnier told Semafor that a Trump-era shift in Hollywood could produce “a wave of classically male-driven movies with mentally tough, traditional, courageous, confident heroes,” complete with “explosions, gun battles, helicopters, fistfights and car chases!”
Chan and Tucker Have Not Criticized Trump
Unlike many high-profile Hollywood celebrities, neither Jackie Chan nor Chris Tucker has spoken out against Trump. After the 2016 election, Chan urged Americans to “give him a chance,” calling Trump “a businessman” who might “know how to handle these types of things.”
Tucker, in a 2018 interview with Piers Morgan, said he hoped Trump “does good” and added, “I want him to be successful, I want him to do the right thing.”
Uncertain Future for “Rush Hour”
Warner Bros. Discovery has allowed the Rush Hour rights to be licensed elsewhere, though no studio has yet pursued a new installment.
If Paramount–Skydance acquires Warner Bros. Discovery, Trump’s push — and Ellison’s influence — could determine whether Chan and Tucker return for another round of antics.
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