Source: Crienglish
Credit: stephanieshieh @ http://asianfanatics.net/forum/



"Rush Hours 3" Premieres in Hollywood

Cast members Chris Tucker (L) and Jackie Chan pose at the premiere of "Rush Hour 3" at the Mann's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California July 30, 2007. The movie opens in the U.S. August 10.

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'Rush Hour' hits Hollywood Blvd.
Source: LA Times

"It took 20 years to build a pyramid, 14 years to build Mt. Rushmore, 13 years to lose my virginity and six years to get Chris Tucker to make 'Rush Hour 3,' " said Brett Ratner at the premiere of this summer's latest threequel.

The director was addressing a full house at Grauman's Chinese Theater that included Brian Grazer, Robert Evans and Sun Ming Ming, a 7-foot-8 Chinese man who has seven inches on basketball star Yao Ming and a small role in the film.

Jackie Chan had already run down Hollywood Boulevard, luminous in a loose white ensemble, slapping hands with an eager crowd and posing enthusiastically for the paparazzi -- two fingers up, Japanese tourist style, fist in the air, karate kick!

Tucker had already emerged from a limousine and done an unintelligible interview with a DJ from Power 106. (Tucker's high, flat voice reverberated off the buildings loud and clear -- it was the words you couldn't understand). And the lovely Jingchu Yang, the film's damsel in distress, arrived wearing a woven straw hat in the shape of ribbon candy perched on the side of her head.

"I would not be able to pull off that hair thing," said one of the publicists whose "Staff" badge kept me from getting booted off the edge of the carpet.

"But it's so cute on her," said her friend. And it was.

Ratner can be a notorious pain in the butt to work with, which may explain New Line co-CEO Bob Shaye's refreshingly honest remarks before the director took the stage. "Brett Ratner and I have been great friends and sometimes bitter foes," Shaye said. "But sometimes in friendship the love/hate thing has to apply."

When Ratner took the stage, he delivered his opening joke with gusto. "I'd like to welcome everyone to the first production meeting of 'Rush Hour 4.' "

(But seriously folks …)

Then he thanked everyone under the sun, not only his DP and 2nd AD but his agent, his publicist, his editor and his mother because "she birthed me, and without her I wouldn't be here today."

One wished the premiere came with one of those lithe, sparkly Oscar ladies who would gently usher him off stage as the orchestra began to play.

The after-party was held at Les Deux, where it took a while to find the power hub. But I located it eventually in the large carpeted court yard where the sushi wasn't but the tropical fruit cream-filled wontons with dual dipping sauces were.

Tom Cruise's producing partner Paula Wagner got jostled by a large waiter. Chris Rock talked quietly near Tucker. Chan's handlers mentioned that the star was "getting tuckered out," and Evans was ensconced in Ratner's reserved area, a woman on each side.

Ratner is definitely a fan of old dudes. His private nook was filled with them.

I asked Quincy Jones, who had just engaged in a long, firm hug with Tucker, what he thought of the film.

He enveloped my hand in a warm, dry grip and pulled me close. "I thought it was a wonderful film," he said. "I enjoyed every minute of it. Brett's like a little brother and a son to me. I knew him since before he was a director. He was a friend of my daughter and he used to follow me around."

He graciously kissed my hand before letting it go.

Then all of a sudden it seemed very empty where I was standing and very full on the other side of the room.

Paris Hilton had arrived and she eclipsed everyone.