Kiefer Sutherland Has Read a 24 Revival Script, and Here’s Why It’s Taking So Long

It’s been over a decade since fans last saw Kiefer Sutherland step into the role of Jack Bauer, but the possibility of a 24 reboot is still very real. Not only has Sutherland read a script, but he recently explained why it’s taking so long for the project to move forward.

The actor, who recently starred in the short-lived Rabbit Hole, spoke about the future of 24 while promoting his Red Bank Whisky brand on Montreal Now with Aaron Rand. When asked about the status of the long-rumored revival, Sutherland revealed that a script is finally on the table:

“Howard Gordon has come up with an idea that I like. Before, the material had not been written, so I would have to say, ‘I’m not the one that’s in the way.’ [But] something has been written. I think it’s really good. I think it’s really strong.”

For years, there have been talks of bringing Jack Bauer back, but nothing ever materialized because there wasn’t a solid script in place. That’s changed now, and Sutherland sounds genuinely excited about what he’s read. Whether it’s a new series or a one-off TV movie, he seems more than ready to return as Bauer.

But the big obstacle isn’t the story, it’s the business side. The television landscape has changed dramatically since 24 first aired, and the rights are no longer controlled by the same studio. Sutherland explained:

“24 was originally with Fox. Now it’s owned by Disney because of what Fox has sold off, and so it has to go through different channels before it’s either approved or disapproved.

“Like everybody else, it’s something I would really like to do. I would like to close that story. It was left kind of wide open. So, fingers crossed. There’s a chance. We’ve taken some considerable steps forward.”

That “open” ending he’s talking about came in 24: Live Another Day, when Jack turned himself over to Russian agents in exchange for Chloe O’Brian’s release. The series ended with him headed into captivity, leaving fans with countless questions about what happened next. The follow-up spinoff 24: Legacy didn’t pick up that storyline, leaving Jack’s fate unresolved.

So is Bauer still rotting in a Russian prison? Did something happen off-screen that changed his situation? These are the kinds of lingering questions a reboot could finally answer.

With Disney holding the keys, it’s unclear whether the project would land at Fox again or stream on Hulu, but the latter option would give the creative team more freedom to push the show’s intensity even further.

Sutherland clearly wants to give Bauer the ending he deserves, and now that there’s a script, it feels like things are closer than they’ve been in years. The clock isn’t ticking yet, but there’s finally reason to believe that Jack Bauer might be back in action.