Not very long ago we (I mean: everyone) reported that "Rush Hour 3" probably wouldn't happen because Chris Tucker was allegedly unhappy with the $20 million he was being offered. Well, apparently Tucker's business manager is a pretty convincing guy, because it now looks like Tucker, Jackie Chan, director Brett Ratner, and screenwriter Jeff Nathanson have signed up to deliver what the world really and truly wants: A third action comedy about a black guy and an Asian guy who bicker a whole lot.

According to Variety, "After years of intricate negotiation New Line has finally gotten "Rush Hour 3" on the fast track.

Studio has at long last signed Chris Tucker, Jackie Chan, director Brett Ratner and screenwriter Jeff Nathanson to return for the sequel.

Tucker will earn $20 million against 20% of gross, and his deal comes with a second-picture commitment for the same salary on a film to be determined later. Thesp has given up script approval as long as the final draft matches what Nathanson pitched.

Chan will get around $15 million against 15% of gross, but he will also own the film's distribution rights in China and Hong Kong.

Ratner will get a spike on the upfront part of the $5 million-against-5% gross deal he had on "Rush Hour 2."

Nathanson, who scripted the last film, will be paid seven figures to write the third installment.

New Line has the option to greenlight the pic by May, based on script approval and a budget the studio hopes won't exceed $120 million, which seems low by summer tentpole standards -- especially given the generous above-the-line expenditure. That greenlight would trigger pay-or-play deals for the helmer and the two stars.

The film will begin shooting next summer in the U.S. and Paris and anchor the studio's summer 2007 schedule."
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Seems like a helluva lot of money for the second sequel to one of the most generic concepts ever created, but hey, what do I know? The first two "Rush Hour"s made huge coin at the box office, so I guess it's a good investment.