Previously, Damon Wayans Jr was offered the part originated by Chris Tucker in the movie franchise, but he passed (or something else happened that led to his not signing on); The role officially given to actor/comedian Justin Hires of “Key & Peele” fame (he’s also appeared on the big screen in films like “21 Jump Street”).
CBS has now given a series order to what will be a TV serial adaptation of “Rush Hour” which will, of course, be based on the feature film of the same name, which gave birth to a trilogy of movies starring Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan.
Expected to follow a similar story, style and structure as the films, the TV series will follow the misadventures of a straight-laced Hong Kong cop (played by Jackie Chan in the movies) and his not-so straight-laced black LAPD officer (originally portrayed by Chris Tucker).
Joining them in series regular roles include Aimee Garcia and Jessika Van.
The series will be penned by Bill Lawrence and Blake McCormick, and will be executive-produced by Arthur Sarkissian, Brett Ratner, Jeff Ingold and director Jon Turteltaub.
The 3 “Rush Hour” movies collectively grossed about $1 billion (adjusted for inflation) worldwide – clearly a commercial success.
All three films were directed by Ratner, who will serve as an executive producer on the new series.
As for a 4th “Rush Hour” movie, some years ago, producer Arthur Sarkissian, speaking at the Television Critics Association press tour, revealed that a 4th film in the franchise was in “serious development,” adding: “I am working on ‘Rush Hour 4’ right now with Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan… I’m trying to do it closer to how I did ‘Rush Hour 1,’ more down to earth, more gritty, introduce two new characters and make it real the way the first one was. I personally was not happy with the third one. I thought 1 and 2 were very good. I think 3 got out of hand a little bit. It’s not a matter of just bringing them back to do another segment of that, or a sequel to it, by putting them in another city and having them bicker. I don’t want that. I want something new.”
No word on where “Rush Hour 4” currently stands, especially with news of a TV series based on the franchise, now getting closer to becoming a reality.
Source: Shadow And Act
