The long-awaited return of Jack Bauer is officially in the works. Howard Gordon, the showrunner behind the groundbreaking series 24, has confirmed that a revival of the action thriller is actively in development, with star Kiefer Sutherland on board to reprise his iconic role.
This confirmation follows Sutherland’s recent revelation that he had reviewed written material for a new 24 project and was impressed with Gordon’s concept. While the project still requires formal approval from Disney, which now holds the rights through its acquisition of 20th Television, those involved describe the development as taking “considerable steps forward.”
The Revival is “Absolutely in Process”
In a recent interview, Howard Gordon provided a clear update on the status of the potential revival, moving the project from mere speculation to active development.
“It’s absolutely in process, there’s something we are developing,” Gordon stated.
He acknowledged that the corporate landscape has changed since the original series aired, noting that Disney has not yet formally committed to the project. Gordon has tried to revive the franchise in various forms over the years, including attempted spinoffs, but until now hadn’t found a direction that fully worked.
“One thing we couldn’t figure out for a long time was a direction that ever held water, that sustained itself,” Gordon explained. “This feels like it could be, but it’s not formal, it’s not done.”
Kiefer Sutherland’s Enthusiasm for the Project
Kiefer Sutherland first sparked excitement among fans when he revealed in a September radio interview that concrete progress was being made. He expressed particular enthusiasm for Gordon’s approach to bringing back the character.
“Howard Gordon has come up with an idea that I like,” Sutherland shared. “Before, the material had not been written, so I would have to say, ‘I’m not the one that’s in the way.’ Something has been written. I think it’s really good. I think it’s really strong.”
Sutherland emphasized his personal investment in properly concluding Jack Bauer’s story, which was left open-ended in the 2014 limited series 24: Live Another Day. That season ended with Bauer turning himself over to Russian authorities to secure the freedom of his ally Chloe O’Brian.
“I would like to close that story. It was left kind of wide open,” Sutherland said.
A Careful Approach to a Beloved Character
Despite the progress, Howard Gordon expressed a thoughtful perspective on reviving such a beloved series. Having worked on the original 24, which required producing 24 episodes per year in a demanding real-time format, he understands the importance of doing justice to the franchise.
Gordon noted that modern viewing habits, shaped by streaming services, have changed how audiences consume television, making the original 24 format particularly challenging to produce today.
He stressed that any revival must meet high standards to honor both the fans and the legacy of the original series.
“What I really don’t want to happen is that it’s not good because I don’t think that’s fair to the show. It’s not fair to the fans, not fair to, frankly, to myself,” Gordon said. “So it has to be something that you connect to.”
The Complicated Path to Approval
The revival faces a significant procedural hurdle that didn’t exist during the original series’ run. When 24 premiered in 2001, it aired on Fox. Following Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox assets, the rights to the franchise now belong to Disney.
Sutherland previously explained this complication, noting that the project “has to go through different channels before it’s either approved or disapproved.” This means that even with a strong script and the commitment of the original star and showrunner, the revival must clear corporate approval at Disney before moving forward.
Fan Reactions to the News
The announcement of a potential revival has generated significant excitement among dedicated 24 fans who have been waiting for proper closure for Jack Bauer since 2014.
Many fans have taken to social media to express their desire to see Bauer’s story concluded satisfactorily. One fan commented on the unresolved ending of Live Another Day, stating, “The last finale, with Jack going to Russia, was too damn open ended.” The sentiment reflects a common desire among the fanbase to see Bauer’s narrative arc properly completed, regardless of whether the character ultimately survives or not.
Other fans have suggested hoping for the return of other beloved characters from the series, such as Chloe O’Brian, Tony Almeida, and Kate Morgan, should the revival move forward.
The Enduring Legacy of 24
24 premiered in November 2001, just weeks after the September 11th attacks, and quickly became a television phenomenon. Its real-time format, with each episode representing one hour in a single day, was innovative for television. The series followed federal agent Jack Bauer as he worked to protect the United States from various terrorist threats over eight seasons, plus a television movie and the Live Another Day limited series.
Throughout its run, the show earned numerous awards, including Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe for Kiefer Sutherland’s performance. It also weathered criticism regarding its portrayal of torture and national security, making it a frequent topic of cultural discussion.
The potential revival represents an opportunity to bring back one of television’s most iconic action characters at a time when many fans believe the complex global landscape could benefit from Jack Bauer’s particular set of skills.
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