The fourth installment of the "Rush Hour" series may not be dead after all. After a decade of false starts, franchise star Jackie Chan recently confirmed that the sequel is happening.
Talking to Power 106's "The Cruz Show" on Wednesday, the action star revealed that "Rush Hour 4" is indeed in the works. Noting the years of unfruitful negotiations which the sequel has undergone since the third film in 2007, Chan explained: "For the last seven years, we've been turning down the script, turning down the script. Yesterday, we just agreed."
The script, which is currently in its second draft, should be finished by the end of the month. If all goes smoothly according to plan, filming should start next year. That is, if Chris Tucker is on board for the sequel.
"Next year [we'll] probably start—If Chris Tucker agrees," Chan said. Until that happens, the movie may still not happen, so fans are now pushing the comedian to reprise his role as James Carter.
For Chan's part, the Chinese star is enthusiastic about making the movie for the fans. He made it clear at one point that he has decided to return to make the most of his time. The actor, now 63, wants to make it while he still can.
"Rush Hour 4... we're all like, old men," he told the hosts. "I tell Chris Tucker, before we get old, please do Rush Hour 4."
The first "Rush Hour" film hit the big screens in 1998. Starring Chan and Tucker as mismatched cops, the film was followed by two more installments in 2001 and 2007. In 2015, CBS picked up a TV adaptation of the popular franchise with Justin Hires and Jon Foo in the lead roles. But the spin-off was short-lived, having been cancelled after one short season.
To date, Tucker has yet to release a comment on "Rush Hour 4." The actor has kept a low profile in recent years, only appearing on screen occasionally in small roles like Danny in 2012's "Silver Linings Playbook". He then re-emerged briefly for his own stand-up special on Netflix in 2015. If he agrees to the "Rush Hour" sequel, it would be his first time in a leading role since "Rush Hour 3."
As for Chan, his upcoming film "The Foreigner" with Pierce Brosnan will open in cinemas on Friday, Oct. 13.
