Thomas Griffin

Evil-doer
Full Name	Thomas Griffin
Alias	Juntao
Origin	Rush Hour
Occupation	Police Commander (formerly) Head of the Chinese Criminal Organizations
Powers / Skills	Deception Leadership Gunmanship C-4 explosives High intelligence Sophistication
Hobby	Stealing money. Antagonizing Lee and Carter. Antagonizing Han and Soo-Yung.
Goals	Kill Detective James Carter and Inspector Lee. Smuggle Chinese artifacts worth about $70 million. Blackmail $70 million out of keeping Soo-Yung hostage to compensate his lost artifacts (all failed).
Crimes	Smuggling Murder Kidnapping Corruption Conspiracy Blackmail Extortion Attempted filicide Attempted homicide Treachery
Type of Villain	Criminal Businessman

“	Consul Han, six blocks of C4 are wired to your daughter in a car outside. You know, before the change-over, most of this exhibition was in the hands of a single private collector....... me. I worked most of my life to acquire and catalog these priceless pieces that you see before you. And then in one fell swoop, it was taken away from me. But tonight...... I shall be paid in full.	„
	~ Griffin revealing his true nature

“	Meet me on the roof.	„
	~ Griffin’s last words before he falls to his death in a fountain below

Thomas Griffin, also known as Juntao, is the main antagonist in the 1998 film Rush Hour.

He was portrayed by Tom Wilkinson, who also portrayed Latham Cole in The Lone Ranger, Carmine Falcone in Batman Begins, and Thomas Pendrew in Sleeping Dogs.

Biography

Griffin was a police commander who was secretly the infamous crime lord known as Juntao. Griffin had the daughter of his associate, Consul Solon Han, named Soo Yung Han, kidnapped by his henchman, Sang so that he could hold her for ransom, while he pretended to help Han find her as he awaited the ransom money. Chief Inspector Lee and his partner Detective James Carter were assigned the task of locating and rescuing Soo Yung, as well as discovering the identities of her attackers. As the story progresses Carter was the first to discover Griffin is Juntao whom Lee is seeking.

Griffin appeared at the Los Angeles Convention Center where an art exhibition took place, and he was seen making a speech with distraught Consul Han at his side. Lee, Carter and Tania Johnson (LAPD bomb squad member and Carter's former partner) arrived, Griffin's cover was soon blown thanks to Carter, and he revealed that Soo Yung was held hostage in a van outside with a bomb vest attached to her. Carter went to rescue Soo Yung and dared Griffin to detonate the bomb vest in front of him and Sang (who was also present). Griffin escaped into the rafters and Lee gave chase, after Johnson successfully removed the bomb vest from Soo Yung. But the bomb vest still can go off so Lee takes it upon himself to move the bomb far away as possible while Carter dealt with Griffin's henchmen and finally killed Sang. With Lee pursuing close, Griffin attacked Lee with his suitcase full of ransom money, but accidentally toppled over the edge, and was left hanging onto Lee's bomb vest. As Griffin struggled to keep his grip, the bomb vest tore under his weight and sent him plunging into a fountain below. As soon as Griffin splashed onto the fountain water the bomb detonated inside the fountain, ensuring Griffin's death.

Gallery

Griffin at a party with his associate, Consul Solon Han

Griffin revealed as the crime lord known as Juntao

Griffin persuading Han to pay the ransom money for his kidnapped daughter

Griffin at the Los Angeles Convention Center

Griffin revealing his true nature to Han and the cops while Sang holds them at gunpoint

Griffin being dared by James Carter to detonate his own bomb vest

Griffin falling to his death into a fountain