Jack Bauer may finally hit the big screen. Though Fox has yet to decide whether to pick up a ninth season of 24, an insider confirmed that the film side is in talks with Billy Ray (State of Play) to write a screenplay for the franchise. Word is the scribe came in and pitched his version of the flick.
Any movement on a film may hinge upon the show’s future with the network; Fox toppers Peter Rice and Kevin Reilly will likely want to see how the show performs over the next few weeks before deciding whether to commit to another season of Bauer racing the clock. Through Jan. 31, 24 is down versus last year by 10% in total viewers (11.9 million versus 13.3 million) and by 15% in adults 18-49 (3.9 versus 4.6). The drama remains Fox’s third-most watched show behind American Idol and House.
A decision is needed soon; a source close to the show said the producers are preparing to write the 23rd and 24th episodes of the current season so they need to know whether to pen a series finale. Production on the drama is scheduled to wrap March 24.
In January, star Kiefer Sutherland told EW that he’d love to do a movie (“It would be a two-hour representation of a day”) and thinks the TV show can actually be done at the same time. ”I actually tried to convince a few people of this. In a media world that is changing unbelievably fast, a television series can either act as a great trailer for a film, or a film can act as a great trailer for a television series. And I think the first person who actually does that is going to change the way television interacts with feature films.
“I think the resistance to it is because, in my father’s generation, if you did films, you didn’t even think about television,” Sutherland continued. “That was a death knell. And if you did television, you wouldn’t be allowed to do films. That was when we had three networks. We have six hundred now, and if I want to see Paul Newman in a movie, I don’t have to go out. And so the game has changed. And I think we’re going to have to adjust with it.” – With additional reporting from Nicole Sperling
More 24 from EW:
24 TV recap: Stick it, Renee…but not to Jack!
have you ever heard of The X Files: Fight The Future?
now whether you see the film as a failure or a plus to their greatest season ever aired for a series, maybe the movie can rejuvenate 24 as well. then again, a lot of people thought that the movie failed The X Files.
I like that movie.
Get lost loser!
With Kiefer and the rest of the cast – past & present, the film will certainly attract the legion of 24-fans and more, and will be a big hit! Can’t wait!
“The following takes place between 1 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. …” (Yeah yeah, I know he said it’d be a two-hour representation of a day)
So that means Keifer is going to star? I think this movie is going to fail….like Mario stated — remember the XFiles? Where are they now?
Uh, Californication and good notices in independent film(anderson)?
And don’t forget Mitch Pileggi. He’s on Sons of Anarchy.
I’m a 24 fan til the end. I’m pro-anything that continues putting Jack Bauer on any screen.
Ditto that.
Double ditto.
+1 more.
TRIPLE DITTO!!! HE GOT STABBED, THREW THE KNIFE AT A RUSSIAN’S NECK AND STILL TOOK OUT LIKE 5 MORE RUSSIANS!!!!
Fourth’s the charm for me guys
Absolutely Agreed
Copy that
It’s good to hear an actual, successful, legit screenwriter is writing the screenplay.
I think you misread who was writing the screenplay. At best Ray is a “meh” screenwriter.
He’s better than meh, in my opinion, having written (and directed) “Shattered Glass” and “Breach.” Plus, he’s a very in-demand screenwriter. It says something that they were willing to pay his high-six-figure fee about how they feel about this movie.
And I’m dismayed that a screenwriter who isn’t an active member of the show’s writing staff is writing it. I’m a TV writer loyalist.
Why can’t they do both, like someone said about x files the movie, during the show’s run. This show is still as great as it has been and it should return to Emmy voters minds.
BTW, if you are not watching Castle on ABC, you are missing one of the best shows on tv.
I would see the movie. Would love to see the action they could create with a bigger budget. Also, love Castle as well.
I just want to know why Kiefer would want to see Paul Newman in a movie so much that it would be the first thing out of his mouth…
Paul, that was a very weird comment. Maybe Kiefer just likes Paul Newman like a lot of people do!
Because Paul Newman is awesome and an amazing actor. Duh.
I’m cool with them doing a movie, but I feel like Jack needs to take his final Bau(er) on the small screen. That said, I don’t know how the timetables will work for that unless they do it between season 9 and 10 or they super-fast-track it and shoot it right after season 8 wraps. Then they could potentially aim for a December release.
Hmm, lemme guess … Jack’s ready to start a normal life … then there’s a threat to the world … then there’s ominous music and an evil mole … then a computer glitch … then some Chloe awesomeness … then a “big name character” dies … then Jack torturs someone and growls … then there are mountains in Iowa … then there’s a cougar … and then Jack saves the day.
Yawn. 24 has been a parody of its former great self for years.
Ditto
i have been a 24 watcher since day one to think that this may be the last well donot this program of all thats on tv is the best and to think it may bee the last well no keep it on i like this program and i rate this a ten so writters of this program keep it on and do the movie it may be a moneymaking start so keep it on donot take it off please
Dude, get some punctuation!
dude get a life
You need some punctuation as well, dude.
It better be good, because the show itself has become very, very lousy. Sutherland looks like he couldn’t be more bored and they’re just repeating the same beats they’ve already been repeating for years now.
I expect a graphic movie even though after tonight’s episode,it would be hard to define graphic. You could do a two hour movie, but you would have to pick up the pace. Instead of three storylines, maybe two would have to do. I would want action and twists left and right in my 24 movie.
If there is a movie, will James Morrison (Bill Buchanan) be brought back?
They really need to cancel the series and move on to a feature in two years or so. The TV version has become truly lame and repetitive, and a break would do a lot of good.
The show is so friggin bad its hard to even laugh anymore. You 24 freak fans are pathertic. NIck read YOU
Why so bitter? Angry rants like yours say more about you then the person you are attacking.
Ditto Jinxo. I don’t find Jack that thrilling anymore. He always looks like he’s in angst.
I agree….why can’t you just say you don’t like the show and leave it at that… wht sadistic pleasure do u get in calling ppl who like the show pathetic…because there are still 11 mil viewers tuning in every week, so go cry to ur momma, not here….
Yet you still read and commented on the article…
I totally vote for having a 24 movie come out in between TV seasons like ‘The X-Files’ movie. heck, if they finish in March they could spend 3 months shooting a movie over the summer then go back into production on the TV show, have the movie out in December, then the season premiere about a month later. I’d LOVE a 24 movie, and I’d LOVE a season 9. Its damn good television.