Brett Ratner’s Sequel Pitched to Studios

In July, Lionsgate executives met to discuss the possibility of making a new movie, Rush Hour 4. The studio was interested in adding to its collection of successful franchises, like the John Wick series. However, the project came with a challenge. The potential director and producer, Brett Ratner, had faced accusations of sexual misconduct in 2017.

Despite denying the allegations, Ratner had not worked in Hollywood since. In a surprising move, the rights to Rush Hour 4 had been licensed to Tarak Ben Ammar of Eagle Pictures. Ratner had been trying to bring the project to life for years, but his involvement had been a hurdle for other studios.

The original stars, Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan, were rumored to return, but nothing was confirmed. Ratner had a successful career before the allegations, directing the first Rush Hour films that grossed over $500 million. The potential for a new installment reflects Hollywood’s trend of reviving old franchises.

In a challenging box office climate, with some recent movies underperforming, the appeal of a well-known IP like Rush Hour 4 is strong. As of now, it’s uncertain if Lionsgate will proceed with the project.

This article originally appeared in The Hollywood Reporter magazine. For more stories, you can subscribe here.