When Donald Trump called David Ellison last Sunday, he didn’t ask about tariffs or foreign policy. He wanted to bring back Rush Hour. On November 25, 2025, Deadline confirmed that Paramount Pictures would distribute Rush Hour 4, reviving the buddy-cop franchise nearly two decades after the third film flopped at the box office. The twist? The push came directly from the 79-year-old president, who reportedly told Ellison — son of Oracle billionaire Larry Ellison — that he’d been dreaming about Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker chasing bad guys through Chinatown since the 1990s. It’s not just nostalgia. It’s a deeply personal campaign, one that ties Hollywood, politics, and money into a single, surreal package.
How a Presidential Hobby Became a Studio Deal
According to Semafor, Trump didn’t just mention Rush Hour in passing. He pressed Ellison to revive the franchise — specifically the one directed by Brett Ratner, who’s been largely ostracized since 2017 allegations of sexual misconduct. Trump’s fascination isn’t random. He’s long admired the over-the-top action-comedy style of the late ’90s. His favorite film? Bloodsport (1988). He’s also cited Gone with the Wind, Goodfellas, and Citizen Kane as personal favorites. And while the Rush Hour films were never critically acclaimed, they were financial juggernauts: the first made $244 million globally on a $33 million budget; the second, $347 million on $90 million. Even the third, with a $140 million price tag, pulled in $258 million. Those numbers don’t lie — and Trump knows it.
What’s more, this isn’t the first time Trump has reached out to the Ellison family. In January 2025, Paramount Skydance settled a lawsuit with Trump over a CBS News interview that he claimed was biased. The settlement reportedly included a side deal — one that may have opened the door for this film. And now, with Ellison’s Skydance having merged with Paramount Global in 2025, and the company just outbidding Netflix and Comcast in a $30 billion acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery’s entire film catalog, the timing couldn’t be more convenient — or suspicious.
The Ellison Family’s Hollywood Power Play
David Ellison, who runs Skydance, is the son of Larry Ellison, the world’s second-richest man with a $175 billion net worth as of 2025. Larry has donated more than $15 million to Trump’s campaigns and PACs since 2016. He’s not just a donor — he’s a player. Reports from Euronews suggest White House officials have quietly spoken with Larry about removing CNN anchors Trump dislikes — a move that would align with Warner Bros Discovery’s new ownership structure under Paramount. That’s not just influence. That’s control.
And then there’s Brett Ratner. Despite being shunned by Hollywood, he’s still attached to direct and produce Rush Hour 4. Why? Because he already has a foot in the Trump camp. In 2024, Ratner directed The First Lady, a 20-day documentary chronicling Melania Trump’s life leading up to the January 20, 2025 inauguration. It’s scheduled to premiere in January 2026 — just as Rush Hour 4 hits theaters. Coincidence? Unlikely. The film’s producer, Arthur M. Sarkissian, also produced The Man You Don’t Know (2024), a pro-Trump documentary that aimed to humanize the former president before the 2024 election. This isn’t just a movie. It’s a carefully curated ecosystem of media, politics, and personal loyalty.
Are Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker Even On Board?
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: no one knows if Jackie Chan, 71, or Chris Tucker, 54, are actually interested. Tucker hasn’t starred in a major studio film since Rush Hour 3 in 2007. Chan, though still active in Hong Kong cinema, has been more selective in Hollywood roles. The announcement from Paramount came without any public statement from either actor. Michelle Goldberg of The New York Times and Alex Wagner raised eyebrows on MS NOW’s November 26 broadcast, asking: Is this a studio-driven fantasy, or are the stars being quietly courted behind closed doors?
Paramount’s move also signals a broader shift. New Line Cinema, which produced the first three films, declined to distribute the fourth. That left the door open for Paramount — now flush with Warner Bros Discovery’s catalog — to fill a gap in its lineup with a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The film doesn’t need to win Oscars. It needs to sell tickets to middle America. And Trump’s endorsement, whether public or private, could be the marketing engine it needs.
What This Means for Hollywood and Democracy
This isn’t just about a fourth Rush Hour. It’s about the blurring line between entertainment and political power. When a sitting president can personally influence a studio’s slate — especially one owned by a major donor — it raises questions about who really controls cultural narratives. Is Hollywood now a branch of the executive branch? Or is it simply a marketplace where money talks louder than merit?
For years, studios avoided Ratner after the 2017 allegations. Now, he’s back — with a Trump-approved project. For years, Tucker disappeared from the big screen. Now, he’s being pulled back in — possibly because of a phone call from the Oval Office. The film’s budget, release date, and even its tone may now be shaped less by creative vision and more by political favor.
It’s odd, really. A man who once appeared on Days of Our Lives and Home Alone 2 is now using his presidency to revive a buddy-cop comedy from the Clinton era. And the people who control the studios? They’re listening.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Donald Trump involved in a Rush Hour movie?
Trump reportedly lobbied Paramount CEO David Ellison personally, citing his long-standing love for late-1990s action-comedies like Bloodsport and the original Rush Hour films. He’s also had prior financial and media ties to the Ellison family, including a 2025 lawsuit settlement with Paramount Skydance that reportedly included informal agreements. His involvement reflects a pattern of using personal influence to shape cultural content.
How is the Ellison family connected to this deal?
David Ellison, CEO of Skydance and now head of Paramount, is the son of Larry Ellison, Oracle’s billionaire executive chairman and a top Trump donor with over $15 million in contributions since 2016. The Ellisons’ merger with Paramount and their $30 billion acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery’s film library give them unprecedented control over Hollywood content — and Trump’s personal request may have been a factor in prioritizing Rush Hour 4.
Is Brett Ratner still trusted in Hollywood?
No — Ratner was effectively blacklisted after multiple sexual misconduct allegations surfaced in 2017. But his prior work on the Melania Trump documentary The First Lady, scheduled for January 2026, has reopened doors. His return as director of Rush Hour 4 signals a deliberate alignment between political allies and Hollywood figures who are willing to overlook past controversies for access and opportunity.
Are Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker actually in the film?
Paramount has announced the film without confirming either actor’s involvement. Tucker hasn’t starred in a studio movie since 2007, and Chan, now 71, has shifted focus to Asian cinema. Their participation remains unverified, raising doubts that this is a genuine creative revival — or merely a politically motivated announcement designed to generate headlines.
What does this mean for Hollywood’s independence?
This deal blurs the line between entertainment and political influence. When a president can personally sway a studio’s project slate — especially one owned by a major donor — it undermines the idea of creative autonomy. It suggests that cultural products may now be chosen based on loyalty, not quality, turning Hollywood into an extension of political favoritism.