“Rush Hour 4” might not happen — Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker reject offers as the budget spirals — what’s going on with the film?

Filming for “Rush Hour 4” was supposed to begin this summer — with locations planned across China, Africa, and Saudi Arabia. Now the start has been pushed back to at least September. The reason: money, and the stars still haven’t signed on.

According to journalist Matt Belloni from Puck, producers Arthur Sarkissian and Tarak Ben Ammar have yet to secure contracts with Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. Both actors were reportedly offered $8 million — and both turned it down. The issue is simple: for Rush Hour 3 in 2007, each of them earned around $20 million. That’s likely the figure they expect again.

If both stars get $20 million deals, the film’s budget would jump from the planned $120 million to $140 million — exactly what the third movie cost. Ironically, Jackie Chan himself criticized that film last year, saying the producers “spent too much money.”

There’s also another risk: funding sources. A significant portion of the project’s financing comes from the Middle East, where the geopolitical situation is currently unstable.

Behind the camera is Brett Ratner, whose Hollywood career was effectively derailed after allegations during the #MeToo movement. Jackie Chan is now 71, while Chris Tucker hasn’t led a major film since the third installment. Whether there’s real demand for a fourth movie is an open question. Whether it makes sense to spend $140 million to find out is an even bigger one.

Do you think “Rush Hour 4” is needed at all? Or is it better to leave fans with memories of a great trilogy and one of the best duos of the early 2000s? Share your thoughts in the comments.