RUSH HOUR 4 In The Works At Paramount

The long-gestating sequel "Rush Hour 4" is apparently moving forward with Paramount on board to distribute on behalf of Warner Bros for a double-digit-percent distribution fee. Franchise helmer Brett Ratner is returning to direct, and this would be his first film since 2014's "Hercules".

Ratner's career was pretty much cancelled in 2017 when several women in Hollywood came forward with allegations of misconduct against him. Ratner was accused of sexual assault in 2017 by Melanie Kohler. He sued for defamation, and both sides settled in the fall of 2018, agreeing to move on.

"Rush Hour 4" had a tough time finding a distributor. The project was reportedly being shopped around in 2024, but nobody wanted to be attached to it because of Ratner's reputation. It has also been reported that Donald Trump pressed David Ellison, owner of Paramount SKydance and son of Oracle founder Larry Ellison who was one of Trump's most prominent financial supporters, to revive the "Rush Hour" franchise. Ratner has gotten close to the Trump family while directing a documentary about First Lady Melania Trump for Amazon MGM Studios, which will be released on January 30, 2026. The documentary cost Amazon $40 million to release.

According to sources, Paramount will be paid a flat distribution fee to release "Rush Hour 4" theatrically, and won't market or finance the film. Warner Bros' own label New Line passed on distributing the new sequel, but allowed it to be licensed elsewhere, with Tarak Ben Ammar retaining rights to make the new installment under his Eagle Pictures label, one of Italy's biggest production and distribution companies. In the end, New Line will get first-dollar gross, meaning the studio receives a percentage of box office revenues before the financiers recoup any costs.

The original "Rush Hour" starring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker was released in 1998, and was huge hit, grossing $244 million worldwide. It was followed by two sequels: "Rush Hour 2" (2001) and Rush Hour 3" (2007) which grossed $347 million and $258 million, respectively.

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New on Blu-ray: MONEY TALKS (1997) Starring Chris Tucker and Charlie Sheen

BUY FROM AMAZON

Product Description: Chris Tucker and Charlie Sheen star as two desperate men who discover that they need each other ... and that Money Talks! Chris Tucker is fast-talking con man Franklin Hatchett who is wrongfully accused of killing cops and needs protection from the police, the mob and his very pregnant girlfriend. Charlie Sheen co stars as a struggling television newsman who needs a story. The two meet, and it's like a match to gasoline as they dodge bullets in a series of hair-raising escapes involving big diamonds, fast cars and a deadly game of hide-and-seek. It's an action-packed comedy which provides excitement and fun as Tucker and Sheen create an on-screen chemistry that makes Money Talks a bundle of entertainment!

"The Entertainment Factor is supported by its audience. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission."

Find out more about this DVD/Blu-ray release after the jump.

DVD & Blu-Ray: HERCULES Starring Dwayne Johnson

Product Description: Global superstar Dwayne Johnson delivers an unforgettable performance as the mighty Hercules in this thrilling story of strength, courage and heroism. When a terrifying new enemy threatens the innocent, Hercules and his fearless team of warriors must lead their army in a battle against overwhelming odds. Based on Radical Comics' Hercules by Steve Moore, this ensemble-action film is a revisionist take on the classic myth, HERCULES. The epic action film also stars Golden Globe Winner Ian McShane, Rufus Sewell, Joseph Fiennes, Peter Mullan and Academy Award (R)-nominee John Hurt.

Find our more about this product after the jump (order links, extras, trailer etc.)

Box-Office: Luc Besson's LUCY Overpowers Brett Ratner's HERCULES

This weekend is living proof that PG-13 big budget epics are no match for a good mid-budget R-rated action flick. The lesson of the week was offered by Luc Besson's sci-fi actioner "Lucy" starring Scarlett Johansson, which opened at the top of the box-office with an impressive $44 million versus a $40 million budget. Pretty far behind in second place, Brett Ratner's $100 million sword-and-sandal epic "Hercules" starring Dwayne Johnson only managed to gross $29 million for its first weekend, not really below expectations, but a difficult outcome for a movie this expensive. The film also grossed $28 million overseas, which sweetens the result a bit for Paramount.

This week's other wide opener, the romcom "And So It Goes" starring Michael Douglas and Diane Keaton finished eigth with $4.5 million, although the film was released on far less screens than the other wide releases.

New Wide Releases: "Lucy", "Hercules", "And So It Goes".

Biggest Drop : "The Purge: Anarchy" (-66%)

Smallest Drop : "Planes: Fire and Rescue" (-46%)

Rank	Title	Weekend	Domestic	Foreign	Budget	Days
1	Lucy	$44M	$44M	N/A	$40M	3
2	Hercules	$29M	$29M	$28M	$100M	3
3	Dawn of the Planet of the Apes	$16M	$172M	$181M	$170M	17
4	The Purge: Anarchy	$9.8M	$51M	$6.7M	$9M	10
5	Planes: Fire and Rescue	$9.3M	$35M	$21M	$50M	10
6	Sex Tape	$5.9M	$26M	$10M	$40M	10
7	Transformers: Age of Extinction	$4.6M	$236M	$730M	$210M	31
8	And So It Goes	$4.5M	$4.5M	N/A	N/A	3
9	Tammy	$3.4M	$78M	$6M	$20M	26
10	A Most Wanted Man	$2.7M	$2.7M	N/A	N/A	3

 

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HERCULES Soundtrack (Fernando Velázquez)

Composer
Fernando Velázquez

Total Time:
65:14

Label
Sony Classical

Format:
CD, MP3

Release Date
July 22, 2014

Order links, audio samples and track list after the jump.

In Theaters: HERCULES, LUCY, AND SO IT GOES

Movies opening this week in theaters:

• HERCULES (Paramount Pictures / PG-13 / Wide)
• LUCY (Universal Pictures / R / Wide)
• AND SO IT GOES (Clarius Entertainmen / PG-13 / Wide)

Synopses, details, critical reception, trailers, clips and more after the jump.

5 New HERCULES Clips Starring Dwayne Johnson

Five new clips have been released for Brett Ratner's fantasy actioner "Hercules". Based on Radical Comics' Hercules by Steve Moore, the film stars Dwayne Johnson as the legendary hero. So far, the reviews are surprisingly okay, not amazingly positive, but rather decent for this kind of epic spectacle. Definitely much better than "The Legend of Hercules". The cast also features Joseph Fiennes, John Hurt, Ian McShane, Joe Anderson, Peter Mullan and Rufus Sewell.

"Hercules" opens in theaters on July 25th (3D).

Watch the clips after the jump.

TV Spots: HERCULES, TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES, LUCY, BIG HERO 6

New TV spots have been released for the following films :

• An extended TV spot for Brett Ratner's "Hercules" starring Dwayne Johnson, John Hurt, Ian McShane, Rebecca Ferguson, Joseph Fiennes, Rufus Sewell and Irina Shayk. Opens in theaters on July 25th.
  
  
• A new TV Spot for Jonathan Liebesman's "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" reboot starring Megan Fox, Will Arnett, William Fichtner, Alan Ritchson, Pete Ploszek, Jeremy Howard, Noel Fisher and Whoopi Goldberg. Opens in theaters on August 8th.
  
  
• Two new TV spots for Luc Besson's action film "Lucy" starring Scarlett Johansson, Morgan Freeman and Min-sik Choi. Opens in theaters on July 25th.
  
  
• The first TV spot for Disney and Pixar's new animated feature "Big Hero 6" featuring the voices of T.J. Miller, Jamie Chung, Alan Tudyk, Maya Rudolph, James Cromwell, Damon Wayans Jr. and Genesis Rodriguez. Opens in theaters on November 7th.
  
  

Watch the TV spots after the jump.

HERCULES Motion Poster: Dwayne Johnson Versus Lion

We have a new motion poster for Brett Ratner's "Hercules" that was released via Facebook. The poster teases one of the film's fight scenes between Dwayne Johnson's legendary hero and a rather large CGI lion. The film is based on Radical Comics' Hercules by Steve Moore and it also stars Joseph Fiennes, John Hurt, Ian McShane, Joe Anderson, Peter Mullan and Rufus Sewell.

"Hercules" opens in theaters on July 25th (3D).

Check out the motion poster after the jump.

New Trailer for HERCULES Starring Dwayne Johnson

A new trailer has been released for Brett Ratner's "Hercules". The film stars Dwayne Johnson as the legendary hero, and it is based on Radical Comics' Hercules by Steve Moore. The new trailer includes far more story elements than the teaser, including Hercules seeking revenge against the Gods for killing his innocent family. Joseph Fiennes, John Hurt, Ian McShane, Joe Anderson, Peter Mullan and Rufus Sewell also star.

"Hercules" opens in theaters on July 25th (3D).

Watch the trailer after the jump.

BEVERLY HILLS COP 4 Release Date Announced

The release date for Paramount's "Beverly Hills Cop 4" has been announced: March 25, 2016. The long-delayed sequel will once again star Eddie Murphy as Detective Alex Foley who will be returning to his Detroit roots for the new installment. The film will be directed by Brett Ratner ("Rush Hour"), who previously worked with Murphy on "Tower Heist", and Jerry Bruckheimer will return as producer. The script is being written by Josh Appelbaum & Andre Nemec ("Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol"). Initially the franchise was supposed to be rebooted for television as a series from "The Shield" creator Shawn Ryan, with Brandon T. Jackson starring as Axel Foley's son, but plans for the series eventually fell through even though a pilot episode was shot. Here is what Bruckheimer had to say when asked about the sequel:

"We’re going to take Eddie [Murphy] back to Detroit. He’s going to be in Beverly Hills… So we’re going to have some fun with him."

And here's a cool clip from the original "Beverly Hills Cop", for old times' sake:

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First Trailer, Poster & Images for HERCULES Starring Dwayne Johnson

The first trailer and poster for Brett Ratner's "Hercules" have been released. This movie should not be confused with the awful "The Legend of Hercules" which came out earlier this year. "Hercules" is based Radical Comics' graphic novel by Steve Moore and it stars Dwayne Johnson as the legendary hero in this "revisionist take on the classic myth". Judging from the trailer, the filmmakers are trying to present a more down to earth Hercules. This kind of "meet the man behind the legend" approach has not been terribly successful in the past (remember "King Arthur") and this year's "The Legend of Hercules" was also a flop, so Paramount has a risky deal on their hands. Time will tell. The film also stars Joseph Fiennes, John Hurt, Ian McShane, Joe Anderson, Peter Mullan and Rufus Sewell

"Hercules" opens in theaters on July 25th.

Check out the trailer, poster and images after the jump.

New Images: THE EXPENDABLES 3, HERCULES, DEVIL’S KNOT

New images have been released for the following movies :

• The first official image from the set of "The Expendables 3" starring Sylvester Stallone, Mel Gibson, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Harrison Ford, Wesley Snipes, Antonio Banderas, Kellan Lutz, Glen Powell, Ronda Rousey and Victor Ortiz. Opens on August 15, 2014.
  
  
• A new image showing off the make-up process endured by Dwayne Johnson on the set of "Hercules: The Thracian Wars". Directed by Brett Ratner and also starring Ian McShane, Rufus Sewell, Joseph Fiennes, Peter Mullan, John Hurt and Rebecca Ferguson. Opens on July 25, 2014.
  
  
• The first two images from Atom Egoyan's new film "Devil’s Knot" based on the true story of the West Memphis 3 case, in which three teenagers were wrongfully accused of committing the murder of three children during an alleged satanic ritual in the 1990s. The film stars Colin Firth, Reese Witherspoon, Dane DeHaan, Mireille Enos, Bruce Greenwood, Elias Koteas, Stephen Moyer, Alessandro Nivola and Amy Ryan. "Devil's Knot" will open at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2013.
  
  

Check out the images (click to enlarge) and synopses after the jump.

HERCULES: THE THRACIAN WARS Set Photos

Actor Dwayne Johnson aka The Rock has tweeted several images from the set of "Hercules: The Thracian Wars". You can't actually see Johnson very well in these photos apart from his back, but it does a good job of teasing the production values. One of the images actually provides a first look at an impressively massive set that recalls the grand scale sets of the old historical epics. It also looks expensive as hell. The film is directed by Brett Ratner ("Rush Hour", "X-Men: The Last Stand") and it is based on the comic book created by Admira Wijaya and Steve Moore. Also starring Ian McShane, Rufus Sewell, Joseph Fiennes, Peter Mullan, John Hurt, Rebecca Ferguson, Ingrid Bolso Berdal, Askel Hennie and Reece Ritchie, "Hercules: The Thracian Wars" opens on July 25, 2014.

Check out the photos after the jump.

DVD & Blu-Ray: MOVIE 43 Starring Halle Berry, Naomi Watts, Hugh Jackman, Emma Stone and More

MOVIE 43

Rated: R | Runtime: 120 min | Studio: 20th Century Fox

Synopsis: From the twisted minds of producers Peter Farrelly (Hall Pass, Shallow Hal) and Charles Wessler (There's Something About Mary, Dumb & Dumber), comes Movie 43 -- the outrageous new ensemble comedy starring some of the biggest names in Hollywood. Movie 43 is not for the easily-offended and contains jaw-dropping, sometimes shockingly disturbing, but always entertaining intertwined storylines you'll have to see to believe.

Check out the Special Features and More after the jump.

NEWS UPDATE: March 22, 2012

• 
  Remember that eighties action comedy "Midnight Run", starring Robert de Niro and Charles Grodin as a bounty hunter and his target, respectively ? Well, the good new is that it won't be remade. The bad news is that it's going to get a sequel. I can't imagine how that will work 24 years later, but I suppose we'll have to hope for the best. A first draft of the sequel's script was written by Timothy Downling ("Knight and Day") and will be rewritten by David Eliott and Paul Lovett ("G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra"). The story will involve De Niro reprising his role alongside a young actor for maximum comic effect. In recent updates it seems that Brett Ratner ("Tower Heist", "Rush Hour") is in negotiations to direct. 


• Director Martin Campbell ("Casino Royale") looks to recover from his "Green Lantern" flop with a new diving project, eloquently titled "The Dive". The movie, previously intended for James Cameron to direct, tells the true story of freedivers Francisco Ferraras and his wife Audrey Mestre. Mestre died during an attempt to beat her own world record of 557.7 feet. In case you're wondering, freediving is a sport where you dive without any additional source of oxygen other than what you can accumulate in one deep breath before diving. J. Michael Straczynski ("Changeling") will write the script.


• A new Nelson Mandela biopic called "Long Walk to Freedom" starts filming in May. The movie will star Idris Elba ("The Wire") as Mandela and will be directed by Justin Chadwick ("The Other Boleyn Girl").


• Jake Gyllenhaal is in negotiations to play a dual role in the thriller "An Enemy", a movie directed by Denis Villeneuve (Oscar Nominated Foreign Film "Incendies"). The story, based on the novel "The Double" by Jose Saramago, follows a dysfunctional history teacher who accidentally discovers his exact double on a rented DVD, seeks him out and ends up turning both of their lives upside down. Villeneuve is also working on the vigilante thriller "Prisoners" (opens November 2013) starring Hugh Jackman. "Prisoners" will be about a small-town carpenter named Keller (Jackman) whose young daughter and best friend are kidnapped. After the cops fail to find them, Keller takes the law into his own hands, but in the process runs up against the big city detective assigned to the case.


• 
  The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles return to the big screen in a new live-action movie. Producers Michael Bay, Brad Fuller, and Andrew Form, the creative (yeah, right) trio behind such "classy" horror remakes as "Nightmare on Elm Street" and "Friday the 13th" will bring forth this reboot of the beloved mutant turtles' adventures. But wait, according to Michael Bay, the turtles will no longer be mutants but aliens : "When you see this movie, kids are going to believe, one day, that these turtles actually do exist when we are done with this movie. These turtles are from an alien race and they are going to be tough, edgy, funny and completely lovable." You can imagine the outrage this statement unleashed worldwide. Bay's reply to fan anger was simple :"Take a breath and chill". Regardless of your feelings, the movie will be directed by Jonathan Liebesman ("Battle: Los Angeles") and is scheduled to open on December 25, 2013. The script will be written by Josh Appelbaum & Andre Nemec ("Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol").

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New on DVD & Blu-Ray : TOWER HEIST (2011)

Synopsis: Queens native Josh Kovacs has managed one of the most luxurious and well-secured residences in New York City for more than a decade. Under his watchful eye, nothing goes undetected. In the swankiest unit atop Josh's building, Wall Street titan Arthur Shaw is under house arrest after being caught stealing two billion from his investors. The hardest hit among those he defrauded? The tower staffers whose pensions he was entrusted to manage. With only days before Arthur gets away with the perfect crime, Josh's crew turns to petty crook Slide to plan the nearly impossible…to steal what they are sure is hidden in Arthur's guarded condo. Though amateurs, these rookie thieves know the building better than anyone. Turns out they've been casing the place for years, they just didn't know it.

Billy Crystal Replaces Eddie Murphy as Host of 2012 Oscars

It all started with Brett Ratner dropping out of producing the 2012 Oscars after a series of dim-witted public outbursts ("Rehearsals are for faggots" is an instant classic). After Ratner left, so did the the show's host, Eddie Murphy. The Academy quickly scrambled to find replacements for the two and soon enough they brought in Brian Grazer ("The Dark Tower", "24") to produce and comedian Billy Crystal to host the show. Crystal, who previously hosted the festivities eight times, tweeted the following : Am doing the Oscars so the young woman in the pharmacy will stop asking my name when I pick up my prescriptions. Looking forward to the show". He is still widely regarded as one of the best hosts in the history of the awards. The video above shows producers Brian Grazer and Don Mischer talking about the current situation and below you'll find the official press release that announces the rosters change.

"Producers Brian Grazer and Don Mischer have announced that Billy Crystal will serve as host for the 84th Academy Awards.

“I’m thrilled to welcome Billy back to the Oscar® stage,” said Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Tom Sherak. “He’s a comic legend and Oscar icon, and it feels good to have him back where he belongs.”

Commented Grazer: “Like so many others, I’ve been eager to see Billy host again. It’s very gratifying that he agreed to do it with Don and me at the helm.”

Said Mischer: “With Billy, we’re moving forward with one of the greatest hosts in Oscar history. His return to the Oscars is, in a sense, a celebration.”

This will mark Crystal’s ninth time as host. Only Bob Hope has hosted more Academy Awards presentations, with 19 ceremonies between 1940 and 1978. Crystal last hosted the Academy Awards in 2004.

“Some of the best moments of my career have happened on the Oscar stage. I am thrilled to be back there. Actually, I am doing this so that the young woman in my pharmacy will stop asking me my name when I pick up my prescriptions,” said Crystal.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2011 will be presented on Sunday, February 26, 2012, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide."

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In Theaters : TOWER HEIST (2011)

Official Synopsis : Ben Stiller and Eddie Murphy lead an all-star cast in Tower Heist, a comedy caper about working stiffs who seek revenge on the Wall Street swindler who stiffed them. After the workers at a luxury Central Park condominium discover the penthouse billionaire has stolen their retirement, they plot the ultimate revenge: a heist to reclaim what he took from them.

TOWER HEIST (2011) - 7 New Movie Clips

Official Synopsis: Opening in theaters on November 4, the comedy caper is about working stiffs who seek revenge on the Wall Street swindler who stiffed them. After the workers at a luxury Central Park condominium discover the penthouse billionaire has stolen their retirement, they plot the ultimate revenge: a heist to reclaim what he took from them.

Release Date: November 4, 2011 (US)

Genre: Comedy, Crime

Starring: Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Matthew Broderick, Tea Leoni, Casey Affleck, Michael Pena, Alan Alda, Gabourey Sidibe

Watch the clips after the jump.