Kiefer Sutherland, locked up safely on television’s 24 for the last eight years, looks set to return to the big screen with his acclaimed show in tow. While there have been rumblings ever since the show ended last year, doubt was cast over the franchise’s future when a script by Billy Ray (State of Play) was rejected in December.
Sutherland isn’t quitting yet, however, telling Extra that a script is in development, though he doesn’t expects to start shooting for about eight more months. On the subject of the scripts apparent fluidity, the actor rejected claims of creative problems, seeing continued changes as an inevitability.
“And I think it will up until the day we start shooting, and probably from that point forward, too. It’s a very difficult thing to take something that you’ve done for eight years, almost 200 episodes, and try and find a story that’s going to be unique and yet service the history of the show as well. That is to be expected. So we start shooting hopefully by next December or January.”
Nothing too solid then, but the process does seem to be moving forward. As for the rumours regarding Tony Scott’s alleged involvement, the evidence is even less substantial.
In case you are unfamiliar with the show, each season of 24 takes place over the course of one insanely productive day. Sutherland’s Jack Bauer started the series as an amoral agent for the Los Angeles based Counter Terrorist Unit, from where he thwarted terrorists with about as much regularity with which his alter-ego picked up Emmys.
What are your feelings regarding a big screen 24 (or ‘2.4′ as it might have to be rebranded)? Can’t wait for Jack Bauer’s return? Or are you wishing he’d quit seven days ago?
