Cue the beeps, asa movie adaptation of the behemoth action series hit24is in the works. The original show starredKiefer Sutherlandas no-nonsense US counter-terrorist federal agent Jack Bauer, and reports have revealed thata new adventure is now “in early development” courtesy of 20th Century Studios.
As perVariety, it is currently unknown whether the movie adaptation of24will bring back Bauer for more, or whether it will focus on a new cast of characters. However, according to Imagine Entertainment co-founder Brian Grazer (who was an executive producer on the original series), the studio believes there is potential for huge success by putting24on the big screen.
“Imagine has always played in that zone where there is that high probability chance that it will be successful in movie theaters. It’s great for us, because we’ve built, over 30 years, over 100 different products and brands, whether it’s ‘Backdraft,’ which I’m now going to do today with Glen Powell, or whether it’s ’24,’ a movie that we’re going to do in a very interesting way with Disney and Fox.”
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As well as teasing aBackdraftremake led byTwistersstarGlen Powell, Grazer teases the24movie as something “very interesting.” The push to launch a new24project in theaters comes as part of Grazer’s desire to capitalize on “already established” franchises and fanbases. Which is, of course, something that is now happening across Hollywood studios as they attempt totap into audiences’ nostalgia.
“These formats of the late 90s and the 2000s have become very important, because the streamers…or studios are very, right now, even more of risk averse.”
24 Is Now Considered One of the Best TV Shows of All Time
Created by Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran for Fox,24first began back in 2001 and follows Sutherland as the now iconic Counter Terrorist Unit agent, Jack Bauer. The show followed Bauer and his team as they attempt to thwart multiple terrorist plots to protect innocent people. But the real hook of the show was thateverything happens in “real time”over 24 hours, which was emphasized by a digital countdown that would pop up throughout each episode.
Originally running for nine seasons,24has been brought back multiple times over the years for the TV movie24: Redemption, the limited series24: Live Another Day, and a spinoff titled24: Legacy. The series was a huge pop culture hit, and won a series of awards and nominations, including at the Golden Globes and Emmy Awards. However, while24was largely met with critical acclaim throughout its run, accusations of Islamophobia and glorification and justification of the use of torture have since been leveled at the show. Something which any new project in the franchise would likely need to address.
Sutherland, meanwhile, has become synonymouswith the grizzled, violent Jack Bauer, and while his involvement in the new movie is unknown, the actor did reveal last year that he keeps in touch with24showrunner Howard Gordon,and would “jump” at the chanceto return.
