[dropcap size=small]H[/dropcap]ey, remember that upcoming Rush Hour television show no one asked for based on the 1998 comedy film and its sequels? Well, that show has now cast a lead actor.
Justin Hires has been…hired– to star in the CBS pilot as Carter, the role originated by Chris Tucker in the film versions opposite Jackie Chan. Carter is described as “an irreverent bad-boy detective who uses unorthodox methods to get results.”
“What’s that behind us? Oh…it’s just our careers.”
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The Rush Hour series is from Bill Lawrence (Cougar Town, Scrubs) and will be similar in tone to the New Line Cinemas film which which followed a Hong Kong police officer (Chan) who travels to L.A. for a case and is forced to work with a cocky LAPD officer (Tucker). Brett Ratner and Arthur Sarkissian, who directed and produced the films respectively, will serve as executive producers on the television series.
Justin Hires was a performer in CBS’ 2011 Diversity Showcase, and counts 21 Jump Street and Key and Peele amongst his credits. His casting is the result of an extensive search that saw offers go to Damon Wayans Jr., T.I. and Kid Cudi.
No word on when the pilot is set to air. No Rush.
