Jack Bauer to return: Fox announces '24: Live Another Day'
Kiefer Sutherland will return as Jack Bauer on the Fox series, "24." Credit: Getty Images
Yes, Jack Bauer had unfinished business and now he'll have 12 episodes to finish it. Fox has officially announced the return of "24," with Kiefer Sutherland onboard, of course. His series "Touch" was ended Friday, and the long-aborning "24" movie now appears to be permanently on ice. For fans of course, a final TV run is much preferred anyway.
Fox Entertainment chief, Kevin Reilly, told the press a little while ago the return of "24" will begin May 2014 — which means this will be a summer series — saying it will be "compressed" over 12 weeks.
The title: "24: Live another Day"
“The response to ‘24’ is unlike anything I have ever experienced as an actor before,” said Sutherland in a statement. “To have the chance to reunite with the character, Jack Bauer, is like finding a lost friend. The story ideas from Howard Gordon are exciting and fresh, and will not disappoint. Great thanks to 20th Century Fox Television, Imagine Television and the FOX network for this opportunity. Make no mistake, my goal is to knock your socks off. See you soon.”
Howard Gordon is the man behind this rebirth: He's also "Homeland's" showrunner.
“Jack Bauer has always been an exciting, thrilling character, and I confess that I’ve missed him. I think the audience has too,” he said in a statement. “The character has evolved through the years, and this new and exciting event series format is perfect to tell the next chapter of his story and continue to reflect how the world is changing. Fans can rest assured that the Jack they know and love will be back.”
Where will this project land? Obviously Monday would be the most likely day, perhaps at 8 p.m., even though 9 would be optimum. "Sleepy Hollow" has that real estate for the fall, and "The Following" has it next spring. "Bones" will be holding down 8 only for a little while, which is why a May-into-summer run makes sense. Plus, at 12 hours, Jack effectively has one last half of a day to finish the run.
The series ended three years ago — May 24, 2010, to be exact.
Now the questions of who will return? Obviously, Mary Lynn Rajskub would need to be on board too, right?