Paramount Pictures is finalizing a deal to distribute “Rush Hour 4,” a project that had been stalled in Hollywood since sexual misconduct allegations surfaced against its director, Brett Ratner, in 2017. The move comes after a report that President Donald Trump personally requested the studio take on the film.
According to a report by Semafor, Trump’s intervention preceded the deal. The context is notable: Paramount recently completed an $8 billion merger with Skydance, a deal that required regulatory approval from the Trump administration. Trump has publicly praised Skydance founder David Ellison, whose father, Larry Ellison, is a prominent Trump supporter.
The deal marks a potential comeback for Ratner, who has not produced a major studio film since six women accused him of sexual harassment in a Los Angeles Times report, leading Warner Bros. to sever its $450 million deal with him. Ratner denied the allegations. Paramount’s role would be to distribute the film for a fee, not to finance its production, which would reunite stars Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker.
This is the second Ratner project to find a distributor recently; Amazon MGM Studios acquired his documentary on Melania Trump earlier this year. The “Rush Hour 4” deal suggests that despite being ostracized by much of Hollywood, Ratner has found a path back through the intersection of entertainment and political influence.
By James Kisoo
