Martial art legend Jackie Chan split beans about the upcoming sequel of Rush Hour at the Red Sea International Film Festival. Has Rush Hour 4, the next installment of the action-comedy franchise, finally got a go-ahead after fifteen long years of anticipation?
The speculations were, in fact, going on for the last few years. Finally, the latest news regarding the Chris Tucker Jackie Chan saga came weeks ago.
Rush Hour 4 Release Date
The Rush Hour 4 release date is yet unknown, however. The news is limited to the confirmation of the making of the film only. Jackie declared that the script of Rush Hour 4 for the film is not ready yet.
Rush Hour 4 History
The film hit the theaters in 1998, featuring renowned action hero Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. They played two cops with completely mismatched characters who joined to fight a crime. The rush hour 1 movie had a gross income of $244 million across the globe. As the instant success of the first movie inspired, them, they made two sequels. Rush Hour 2 and Rush Hour 3 came into the big screen in 2002 and 2007, respectively.
The Announcement
Jackie Chan is not very often seen on the stage. He rarely appeared on the stage at the Red Sea Film Festival held in Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah. The star confirmed that discussions are going on about the fourth installment of the action film franchise. He also indicated that he would talk with the director that night about the film and its script.
Recalling the Memory
Relishing the memory of the time he agreed to do the film, the action star said that when he left the hope of going to Hollywood after several efforts, his manager came to him with the script of Rush Hour 4. He initially said no and then agreed to his manager’s words, suggesting he give it a last try.
When Chris and the director called Chan to inform him about the first week’s revenue of the movie, which amounted to $70 million, he was absolutely clueless.
2022 marks the 60th anniversary of Jackie Chan’s film career. Chan revealed that Hollywood asked him to go slow in his actions. Also, the industry recognized him as the successor to Bruce Lee once, after Lee’s death. But he always wanted to maintain his own style, and he creates a script suitable for him, making him produce better action.
The Rush Hour Story
Jackie Chan Rush Hour story involved a Hong Kong police officer, the role played by the action superstar himself, and an LAPD officer, played by Chris Tucker, who came together to solve international crimes.
The unlikely pair landed in Hong Kong in the second part of the movie franchise and then in Paris in the third one.
There’s a Lot to Unpack
Both Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker are very old now. Moreover, despite the franchise’s immense success, its stars kept falling dramatically. Chris Tucker rush hour fortune didn’t continue in the last 15 years, whereas Chan returned to his world of action stunts.
The parts of the movies released earlier had a comedy quotient that may not fly anymore.
So, will loudmouthed detective Chris Tucker yell at the cop Jackie Chan again for two hours?
Rush Hour 4 Director
Brett Ratner, the American director, directed all Rush Hour 3 movies. But he hasn’t directed any film since 2014 after he was accused of harassment by seven women, including two actors, in 2017.
The filmmaker himself reportedly claimed that he would be directing the movie. But the producers may be thinking otherwise. Producer Arthur Sarkissian said that Ratner is not involved in the project.
There has yet to be any revelation so far about the filmmaker of Rush Hour 4.
What did Tucker Say?
On the other hand, Chris Tucker said in 2018 that the fourth sequel is definitely coming. He also said, adding to the fan’s expectations, that Rush Hour 4 will be “the rush of all rushes.” It will be a film that people will remember, added Tucker.
Jackie Chan: The Action Star
Jackie Chan, a man of ambition and new ideas still at the age of 68, never misses a chance to grab new opportunities. He hasn’t been in the Hollywood limelight since the 2010s except for voice acting and a couple of screen presences. According to him, Hollywood lacked diversity in its roles.
Now, one of the greatest Chinese action stars acclaimed worldwide plans to concentrate more on romantic movies, including a drama for women and voiceovers.
Jackie Chan and Rush Hour 4
To conclude the discussion, Rush Hour 4 seems to be the grand return of Jackie Chan to the big screen of Hollywood. Will the movie follow the typical Jackie Chan style of comedy and action? Will it combine the same old and much-appreciated combo of Tucker and Chan? It’s pretty obvious that time will only be able to answer these questions appropriately.
