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.
Vocabulary List:
- Accusations /ˌæk.juˈzeɪ.ʃənz/ (noun): Claims or assertions that someone has done something illegal or wrong.
- Franchises /ˈfræn.tʃaɪzɪz/ (noun): Series of related products or works that are marketed and sold under a common name.
- Licensing /ˈlaɪ.sən.sɪŋ/ (noun): The act of granting permission to use intellectual property or rights.
- Underperforming /ˌʌn.dɚ.pɚˈfɔːr.mɪŋ/ (adjective): Failing to achieve the expected or desired level of performance.
- Potential /pəˈtɛnʃəl/ (noun): Having the capacity to develop into something in the future.
- Reviving /rɪˈvaɪ.vɪŋ/ (verb): Bringing back to life consciousness or strength.
How much do you know?
