Martin Lawrence may be best known for his buddy-cop franchise with Will Smith, Bad Boys - the latest film in which, subtitled Ride or Die, is in cinemas now - but it turns out he almost starred in another famous buddy-cop series.
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Appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and playing a True Confessions segment, Lawrence revealed that he spoke with Chan about appearing alongside him in 1998's Rush Hour, when Chan appeared in a cameo role on his sitcom Martin.
Lawrence said that "he did my show, so we talked somewhere in between there", adding that "we talked in person and then we had a dinner".
He said that he turned the role down because he wasn't offered enough money, but said he was still happy for the team behind the film when it became a major success.
He said: "I was happy for Chris [Tucker]. I was like, that's what it's supposed to be, Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan, and they brought a beautiful franchise with Rush Hour."
Rush Hour was released three years after the first Bad Boys film, which came out in 1995. It went on to get two sequels, while rumours of a potential fourth outing in future continue to circulate.
Last year, Tucker reaffirmed that he and Chan intend to star in a fourth film, but since then there have been no further updates.
Jackie Chan as Detective Inspector Lee and Chris Tucker as Detective James Carter in Rush Hour. Warner Brothers Pictures
Meanwhile, Bad Boys: Ride or Die, the fourth film in the Bad Boys franchise, has just been released, with Lawrence and Smith teaming up once again.
The synopsis for the new film says: "This summer, the world's favourite Bad Boys are back with their iconic mix of edge-of-your seat action and outrageous comedy - but this time with a twist: Miami's finest are now on the run."
James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
