Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer in '24'.

Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer in '24'. Photo: 20th Century Fox Television.

Preview:

  • A ‘24’ is in the works.
  • The movie adapts the action thriller series.
  • Star Kiefer Sutherland has yet to be confirmed as returning.

It’s been a few years since we saw Kiefer Sutherland running around and barking orders into a phone on '24', while a relentless digital clock ticked down and danger lurked off every exit of Los Angeles’ freeways.

Now, though, Brian Grazer –– whose Imagine Entertainment company produced the show –– has told CNBC show ‘Squawk Box’ that he and 20th Century Studios are in the early stages of development on a movie based on the show.

24

24

"A lot can happen in a day."
78
TV-149 SeasonsNovember 6th, 2001

What’s the story of ‘24’?

The cast of '24'.

The cast of '24'. Photo: 20th Century Fox Television.

The original series, created by Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran for Fox television, originally ran for nine seasons between 2001 and 2014, and spawned a television film called ‘Redemption’ in 2008.

Sutherland starred as Jack Bauer, an agent from the U.S. government’s fictitious Counter Terrorist Unit (CTU). His usual missions involved running around Los Angeles and beyond thwarting terrorist threats such as a nuclear explosion. Each season depicted 24 hours in real time (though you thankfully didn’t see him go to the toilet).

Bauer was famous for his slightly violent attitude to law enforcement, and he wasn’t above torturing suspects to get the information he needed.

And other characters, such as his daughter Kim (played by Elisha Cuthbert) sometimes found themselves in more ridiculous situations (just say the word “cougar” to any fan and they’ll know what you mean).

In 2017, a spin-off called ‘24: Legacy’ aired for one season, starring Corey Hawkins.

What has Kiefer Sutherland previously said about a new take on ‘24’?

Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer in '24'.

Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer in '24'. Photo: 20th Century Fox Television.

Sutherland has commented in the past that he’d be up to return, though perhaps not as the star this time, especially given the physical toll involved in bringing Bauer to screens.

Here’s what he said to Entertainment Weekly last year:

“Howard [Gordon] and I talk all the time and invariably it comes up. The idea of him being brought back –– I’m just spitballing –– I think that's an interesting idea. You introduce a new cast of people in their effort to get him out, and it lives on from that point. There's a lot of ways to go about it. I also think it’s such a great idea to take a 24-hour moment in somebody’s life that is desperate –– and that could be a fireman; that could be so many different circumstances. It boggles my mind that someone hasn’t come along and said, ‘Well, we need to do *this* with it.’ So whether it involves me or not, I just think that to do something in real time is so clever –– difficult, but clever –– that I find it kind of shocking that it hasn’t manifested itself into something else and/or bigger."

Sutherland has yet to sign on at this point

Related Article: Donald Sutherland, Star of ‘M*A*S*H’, ‘Klute’ and More Dies at 88

When will the ‘24’ movie be on screens?

With the movie at such an early stage, even Disney wouldn’t set a release date just yet. And you’d probably need Jack Bauer-level skills to discover their plans.

Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer in '24'.

Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer in '24'. Photo: 20th Century Fox Television.

Other Movies and TV Shows in the ‘24’ Franchise:

Buy '24' Seasons On Amazon