Why is Jack Bauer missing from FOX’s upcoming 24 reboot? Recently, Kiefer Sutherland spoke with Ad Week about the series and his new ABC drama Designated Survivor.
The new series, 24: Legacy, stars Corey Hawkins as Eric Carter, a soldier who returns to the U.S. from the Middle East only to find himself preventing a massive terrorist attack. Earlier, the show’s EPs said original 24 star Mary Lynn Rajskub (aka Chloe) could appear in the reboot.
When asked why he won’t appear, Sutherland said he was finished after the 2014 revival special 24: Live Another Day:
The whole hook to get an audience back to watch it was, this is a onetime deal, so you should watch it—and then, when it worked out for us, go, oh, we decided to do another one? I don’t think that’s right. And how many bad days can one guy have before it starts to look stupid? Probably about seven, but we did nine!”
He added that the star of the show is its concept, not Jack Bauer:
The truth is, I’ve always believed that the star of that show was the idea of putting a time restriction on it.”
Later, Sutherland said he may revive Bauer, but for a film not the TV series:
I know never to say that. It doesn’t mean that we can’t make the [long-in-the-works 24] film. It’s a character that I love until the day I die.”
What do you think? Are you a fan of 24? Will you watch the new series 24: Legacy?
There needs to be at least one TV movie as the last we saw of Bauer was that he was kidnapped by the Russians to stand trial in Russia for the killing oft he Russian President. After that he can “retire” or be a sidelines consultant.
I think 24 Legacy will do just well! Kiefer has said the real star of the show is the real time format! 24 Legacy has Manny Coto, Evan Katz, Howard Gordon, Kiefer Sutherland, Brian Grazer, David Fury, Jon Cassar, Bob Cochran, Joel Surnow and Stephen Hopkins all onboard as Executive producers. They created 9 awesome seasons of the original 24 and they can do that again with Legacy. Its time to freshen up the series. Kiefer has given his blessing to continue 24 without him as he felt if he returned the show would look stupid as his story is… Read more »
I watched “Designated Survivor” today & it was pretty good, as long as its politics stays to the dead-center and doesn’t preach with an agenda (left or right), I’ll give it another shot next week. But, as far as the new “24; legacy” goes, I will NOT be watching. Kiefer Sutherland/ “Jack Bauer”, WAS “24”! I watched it religiously all 9 seasons, as it was fantastic, and it ended when it should have, with just enough, closure and uncertainty about “Jack” and his fate, for them to possibly do a one-time movie (theatrical or television) in the future to bring… Read more »
Mmm, Bauer is in Russia and what he did to them was so bad they would never have reason to let him go.
Besides, Designated Survivor last night was pretty good. I’m not sure how long it can last — after a couple of seasons it will be West Wing — but it’s a good concept so far.
I wish the new 24 all the best – but without Kiefer Sutherland I have no interest and will not tune in. Thanks for doing a great interview with him and giving fans a chance to voice their opinion.
I’ll give it a shot, but I’m not optimistic. KS was 24.
I agree with why Sutherland doesn’t want to return but I do as hell miss Jack Bauer. I’m almost certain the revival wont be as good. Bauer was 24.