It looks like another helping of gefilte fish might not be on the menu after all.

Fan and studio interest surrounding a possible fourth film in the buddy comedy/action franchise “Rush Hour” has remained a talking point ever since “Rush Hour 3” first arrived back in 2007. For those of us who practically came of age watching Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan’s loudmouthed, raunchy, and frequently problematic crimefighting duo of Carter and Lee, it’s always made a certain amount of sense for the hit blockbuster property to make a grand return. Then again, the Brett Ratner of it all has made such prospects unlikely … until President Trump decided to get involved late last year and reportedly appealed to Paramount directly to let his buddy Ratner (who helmed Prime Video’s “Melania” documentary/propaganda piece) get back behind the camera.

Maybe this is the universe’s way of balancing things out once again? In a new report by The Puck, “Rush Hour 4” might not be in for such smooth sailing after all — and it’s coming down to a major pay dispute between returning stars Tucker and Chan. Despite a planned production start this upcoming spring or summer, “Rush Hour 4” has been pushed back to September (“at the earliest,” the report ominously notes) while questions linger regarding whether its producers actually have all its $100+ million funding secured. That includes the pesky problem that there currently are no deals for its A-list stars, who are ostensibly the entire reason for reviving this franchise to begin with. After making an estimated $20 million the last time around, Paramount is allegedly lowballing them at $8 million apiece; both initial offers were summarily rejected.

Oh, and making matters worse, it appears a very different Trump decision might be inadvertently muddying the waters even more.

As far as brainless action comedies go, you can do a lot worse than the “Rush Hour” movies — but, with respect to those wearing rose-tinted nostalgia goggles, you could certainly do a lot better, too. After the disastrous “Rush Hour 3” appeared to put the kibosh on any more talk of a fourth film, the pending merger between Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. Discovery gave President Trump the perfect opportunity to put his thumb on the scales and basically let disgraced director Brett Ratner worm his way back into the spotlight. That’s not really going according to plan, however, and a highly controversial policy decision in the Trump presidency might be a major reason why.

As it turns out, plunging headlong into war in the Middle East tends to have some serious (and oftentimes unforeseen) consequences. In this case, “Rush Hour 4” producer Ben Ammar has been raising money for the project from some rather questionable sources in that area — a trait he shares with Paramount Pictures CEO David Ellison, coincidentally enough, who recruited wealthy financiers from the Saudi Arabia region to fork over a whopping $24 billion for Paramount’s $81 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery. The irony of it all is that, thanks to Trump’s ongoing war with Iran, The Puck speculates that the ongoing chaos in the Middle East may be further complicating matters for this “Rush Hour” comeback tour and preventing the project’s money people from getting their funding on solid ground.

It should become clear in the months ahead whether “Rush Hour 4” is destined for more box office glory or an ignominious (and hilariously self-inflicted) fate.