It's been nearly 16 years since Rush Hour 3, and fans of the original trilogy are still asking whether Rush Hour 4 will ever actually come to fruition. The original 1998 action-comedy featured plenty of fun stunts and noticeable chemistry between its stars Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan, and it did well enough to spawn a sequel three years later. Reviews were more mixed for Rush Hour 2, with criticism focused on its lack of originality and step down in stunts.
It took five more years for Rush Hour 3 to hit theaters, and while it was a box office success it was almost universally panned. The concept had worn thin, and Rush Hour 3 was little more than a tired rehash of the first two films. While almost 16 years have ed since that critical bomb, rumors have continued to swirl regarding Rush Hour 4. Both Tucker and Chan have hinted at it, and at long last it seems to be in the early stages of development. However, its future is far from certain, especially given how long it took to move forward.
Rush Hour 4 Is In Early Development (But May Not Happen)
Star Chris Tucker has hinted at Rush Hour 4 for years now, but in the last few months his costar Jackie Chan has indicated he has been in talks regarding the sequel. While those are the earliest developmental stages for a film, it is an indication of forward progress for a fourth chapter in the Rush Hour franchise. In March 2023 Tucker hinted once again that Rush Hour 4 was one of his projects, further fueling speculation (per Complex).
As clear as it is that Chan and Tucker are on board to return to the franchise, the fact that there are no directors or writers attached to the movie leaves plenty of room for doubt. It's all but certain that Brett Ratner, director of the first three Rush Hour movies, would not return for Rush Hour 4 given the disturbing allegations of sexual misconduct against him (via LA Times). A new director and new screenwriters could inject fresh life into the franchise, as its main criticisms have always been a lack of originality.
Why Rush Hour 4 Is Taking So Long
While the critical failure of Rush Hour 3 certainly played a significant role in the delay for Rush Hour 4, there has been one obstacle that has seemingly always stood in the way. In 2014 Jackie Chan told TV host Jonathan Ross (via JoBlo) that he would not do Rush Hour 4 without seeing a script. As he put it, "I don't want to do a rubbish script just because they want to make a movie."
In the 16 years since Rush Hour 3, Chan has continued to build his already formidable reputation as a global movie star. In fact, he received an honorary Oscar in 2016 for his contributions to the film industry. It's perfectly understandable that a star with Chan's credentials would not return to a franchise unless he thought it was worth his time, so the fact that there aren't any screenwriters attached to the project likely indicates that Rush Hour 4 is still a long way off.
Sources: Complex, LA Times, JoBlo
