Jackie Chan recently shared his thoughts on the film industry and his own work while promoting his upcoming movie, Karate Kid: Legends, which hits theaters on May 30. In a video interview with BuzzFeed, Chan reflected on the performance of the Rush Hour franchise, particularly critiquing the third installment, Rush Hour 3, released in 2007.
When asked to compare the three films in the popular buddy cop series, Chan explained, “the first one: little money, little time,” implying the effective constraints of the original did not hinder creativity. He noted that while the second film had “a lot of money, a lot of time,” the third installment suffered from “too much money, too much time.” This comment underlines his belief that sometimes, excess resources can lead to a dilution of the film’s quality and focus, which may resonate with fans who noted the drop in ratings from the first movie, which has a solid reception on platforms like Rotten Tomatoes, to Rush Hour 3, which only garnered a 17 percent approval rating from critics.
The original Rush Hour, released in 1998, features Chan as Lee, a Hong Kong detective assisting Los Angeles detective James Carter, played by Chris Tucker, in locating a missing girl. In contrast, the third movie saw the duo navigating crime in Paris, suggesting a shift in focus that may not have appealed to audiences in the same way.
Despite past denials regarding a fourth film, Chan has hinted that discussions about Rush Hour 4 could be underway, indicating a potential resurgence of the beloved franchise. During a December 2022 appearance, he mentioned he had been in talks about a sequel with the franchise’s director, fueling interest among fans.
As Jackie Chan prepares for the release of Karate Kid: Legends, the anticipation for both new and potentially revived projects reflects his enduring popularity and the affection of audiences for his work over the years. The potential for a Rush Hour 4 could rekindle the charm that made the first film a classic in the action-comedy genre.