’24’ exclusive: Fox nixes movie script
Fans of Jack Bauer who were hoping to get a big screen fix of their favorite anti-hero may be in for a long wait. 20th Century Fox has nixed a script from Billy Ray (State of Play) that would have continued the storyline of the rogue CTU agent from the long-running drama 24.
ìAs far as I know, it is in suspended animation,î Howard Gordon, the longtime executive producer of 24 who is also expected to produce the big screen version, told Entertainment Weekly magazine. îThere is talk about re-approaching it. I understand (director/producer) Tony Scott is meeting with Kiefer to talk about ideas. People are still talking about it.î
When 24 ended its eight-year run on Fox in May, Sutherland told EW the series finale would tee up the movie. ìWe wanted to create a definitive end for Jack Bauer,î the actor explained. ìSince we do have the intention to make the feature film, it would lead into that and certainly set that up. Something weíve dealt with in the series is how the crisis always has to come to us because we donít have time to move anywhere in a real time world. In a two-hour (movie) representation of the 24 world, planes, trains, and automobiles all of a sudden become a factor because you are not required to go scene by scene in real time. Thatís something I can say I am very excited about.î
Gordon is certainly keeping busy while Fox decides Jack Bauerís next play: Besides having two dramas in development at Showtime and Fox, heís busy promoting his thriller novel Gideonís War. (And howís this for staying loyal to the CTU family: Carlos Bernard, aka Tony Almeida, is reportedly narrating the audiobook version).
But Gordon remains optimistic that Jackís days are not over.
ìI was disapppointed [Fox] passed on the script but Iím certainly hopeful that the movie will get made at some point,î he said. ìAnecdotally, Iíve heard from people who are really missing the show and I do think there is more life in Jack Bauer.î
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