Fans the world over were hugely disappointed last year when plans for a 24 movie fell apart amid scripting issues, as well as the Fox network seemingly being too greedy to pay Kiefer Sutherland a decent wage (they offered him a measly $1m for the film, when he was making upwards of $225k an episode at his peak). However,
Deadline is today reporting the surprising news that the network is looking to resurrect one of its most successful shows for a "limited series", bringing Sutherland back into the fold in his Emmy-winning role of Agent Jack Bauer. Given that the final episode of 24 ended on a cliffhanger - in which Jack was once again on the run - fans have been hoping for proper closure ever since. Though a feature film might have provided this, the prospect of a limited series event would likely create a new arc for the character which, depending on your view of where Jack Bauer should go from now, is either a good thing or a bad thing. Former 24 show-runner Howard Gordon, who is now enjoying tremendous success on the hit show Homeland, reportedly pitched a new plot that would start from scratch rather than continue with the previous storyline, which FOX executives reportedly jumped at the chance to come aboard. As a massive fan of the show, I have to ask, though - is this really what we want? It's widely accepted by fans that the show began a steady decline after its fifth season, with the infamous Graem Bauer storyline from Season 6 indicating that 24 had pretty much jumped the shark, confirmed with the return of the presumed-dead Tony Almeida the next season. The worst thing I can say about the last season is that I simply don't remember much of it; the first five seasons are lodged firmly in my mind, whereas the last one is almost totally forgettable, save for its final scene. The best days of the show are far behind it, and what's more, I don't want to see Jack chasing
another nuke, or
another band of Arab terrorists; I wanted a 2-hour film that would give us proper closure to the character, either with him finally making a life somewhere, or actually getting killed. Fox seemed previously reluctant to do either, perhaps aware that they might be able to milk the cash-cow once again a few years down the line, and it seems like that time might be now. What form this limited series will take is anyone's guess; perhaps a half-season of 12 episodes (though that would make the title seem pretty stupid)? How do you feel about Fox bringing 24 back? Are you looking forward to the Jack Bauer Power Hour once again, or should they leave him in peace?