Jackie Chan Confirms Interest in ‘Rush Hour 4’ and ‘Shanghai Dawn’ as He Returns for ‘Karate Kid: Legends’
Los Angeles, May 29 (The Trending People News Desk) – Global action icon Jackie Chan is showing no signs of slowing down. As the 70-year-old star makes a highly anticipated comeback in Karate Kid: Legends, he’s also opened up about two of his long-delayed Hollywood projects — Rush Hour 4 and Shanghai Dawn, both of which are still on his radar.
“Hurry up! Otherwise, Chris Tucker and me will be 100 years old,” Jackie Chan joked while speaking to ScreenRant about Rush Hour 4. “We’ll be old men doing Rush Hour.”
While the martial arts legend didn’t confirm a production start date, his comments have reignited fan excitement around the sequel that has been over two decades in the making.
Rush Hour 4: Is It Finally Happening?
Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker last teamed up for Rush Hour 3 in 2007. The buddy-cop franchise, which began in 1998 under the direction of Brett Ratner, became an instant classic, blending comedy, culture clashes, and high-flying stunts. The trilogy grossed over $850 million worldwide, cementing both stars' popularity across generations.
In 2017, Chan revealed that he and Tucker had finally agreed on a script, sparking rumors that Rush Hour 4 was moving forward. However, production delays, creative differences, and industry shakeups — including controversies surrounding Ratner — have kept the project in limbo.
Despite the uncertainty, Chan’s recent remarks confirm he remains fully committed to revisiting the role of Detective Inspector Lee.
“I don’t know. Ask the director, ask the studio, ask the writer,” Chan quipped. “But I want to do it.”
What We Know About Rush Hour 4 So Far
- Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker are both interested in returning.
- A draft script was reportedly approved as early as 2017.
- Original director Brett Ratner is unlikely to return amid past allegations.
- Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema, the original distributors, have remained silent on a production timeline.
Given the growing trend of nostalgic reboots and franchise revivals, Rush Hour 4 may still be viable — especially with streaming platforms hungry for global hits.
Jackie Chan Wants to Revisit Shanghai Noon Franchise
While fans continue to wait for Rush Hour 4, Jackie Chan also revealed plans to revive another cult favorite franchise — Shanghai Noon and its sequel, Shanghai Knights, both co-starring Owen Wilson.
The third film, tentatively titled Shanghai Dawn, has reportedly been in development since 2016, with Jared Hess (Napoleon Dynamite) attached to direct and a screenplay from Theodore Riley and Aaron Buchsbaum, based on a story by Miles Millar and Alfred Gough — the creators of the original films.
“The script is still going on,” Chan told ScreenRant, confirming that Shanghai Dawn is still alive — at least on paper.
Released in 2000 and 2003 respectively, Shanghai Noon and Shanghai Knights blended kung fu action with western comedy, earning a dedicated fan base. A return to the franchise could ride the same wave of renewed audience interest as Karate Kid: Legends.
Jackie Chan Returns in 'Karate Kid: Legends' After 15-Year Hiatus
Marking his return to the Karate Kid franchise, Jackie Chan reprises his beloved role as Mr. Han, first introduced in the 2010 reboot. The new film, Karate Kid: Legends, is a direct continuation, but with a fresh twist — this time set in the vibrant urban backdrop of New York City, rather than China.
Notably, Chan will appear alongside Ralph Macchio, who returns as the iconic Daniel LaRusso, bridging the original Karate Kid universe with the rebooted storyline — a crossover fans have long hoped for.
This marks the first time both Chan and Macchio are sharing the screen in the same Karate Kid continuity.
Karate Kid: Legends – What to Expect
- Jackie Chan’s Mr. Han and Ralph Macchio’s Daniel LaRusso will cross paths.
- The film is set in New York City, diverging from the franchise’s previous settings.
- Plot details remain under wraps, but it promises to merge old-school martial arts teachings with modern challenges.
The film arrives at a time when nostalgia is a powerful currency in Hollywood, and franchises like Cobra Kai have proven there is still plenty of room in the dojo for fresh stories.
The Legacy of Jackie Chan
Few actors can claim the kind of international impact Jackie Chan has had. With a career spanning more than six decades, he’s starred in over 150 films, revolutionized stunt choreography, and become one of the most recognized figures in global cinema.
From slapstick martial arts in Drunken Master to Hollywood hits like Rush Hour and The Karate Kid, Chan has combined physical brilliance with comedic timing — and a commitment to doing his own stunts that has earned him countless injuries and fan admiration.
His most recent projects — including his voice work in animated films like Kung Fu Panda 4 and his appearance at events like the Cannes Film Festival — show that Chan remains an enduring force in entertainment.
What’s Next for Jackie Chan?
Besides Karate Kid: Legends, Chan has teased additional projects, both in Hollywood and Asia. He continues to be active as a producer, mentor, and philanthropist, supporting young talent and martial arts schools across the globe.
With renewed interest in Rush Hour 4 and Shanghai Dawn, fans might finally see the return of the East-meets-West adventures that made him a household name.
Final Take: Can the Legends Rise Again?
In an era where legacy franchises dominate the box office — from Top Gun: Maverick to Bad Boys: Ride or Die — the return of Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker in Rush Hour 4 feels not only timely but potentially explosive.
Coupled with the emotional resonance of Karate Kid: Legends and the fan-favorite antics of Shanghai Dawn, Chan is clearly not ready to hang up his black belt just yet.