Trump Reportedly Urges Ellisons to Revive ‘Rush Hour’ Franchise

Donald Trump is reportedly pushing for a new Rush Hour movie at Paramount, according to a source speaking to Semafor.

The president has been sharing his ideas about upcoming projects at the studio, which is owned by Larry Ellison, one of Trump’s top financial supporters. Ellison is also in the process of acquiring Warner Bros., including its extensive film library and production resources.

Trump seems interested in reviving the action comedies and buddy films popular in the late 1980s and 1990s.

A person familiar with the conversations told Semafor that Trump has a particular fondness for Bloodsport, the 1988 Jean-Claude Van Damme martial arts movie. He also reportedly pressed Ellison to bring back Rush Hour, the 1998 buddy-cop comedy directed by Brett Ratner and starring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker.

The original Rush Hour combined martial arts, comedy, and buddy-cop action, following Hong Kong Inspector Lee (Chan) and Los Angeles detective James Carter (Tucker) as they team up to rescue a kidnapped diplomat’s daughter. The film, written by Jim Kouf and Ross LaManna, was originally developed in 1995 but went through several studio changes before New Line Cinema picked it up. It was filmed in California, Los Angeles, and Hong Kong, and released in September 1998. Critics praised the chemistry between Chan and Tucker, and it grossed over $245 million worldwide. The film later spawned two sequels, in 2001 and 2007.

Film producer Dallas Sonnier predicts that a new wave of films under Trump’s guidance could focus on “classically male-driven movies with mentally tough, traditional, courageous, confident heroes. Maybe even a tad cocky, but dedicated to honor and duty. Plus, of course, a few explosions, gun battles, helicopters, fistfights, and car chases!”

Sources say Trump’s involvement is primarily advisory, offering creative input rather than handling production. Ellison and Paramount have not officially confirmed the project, but insiders suggest discussions are underway.

If this move comes to fruition, it could mark the return of one of the most beloved action-comedy franchises from the late 1990s, blending martial arts, humor, and high-energy stunts for a modern audience.

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