Production activity has increased for a potential return of 24, as producer Brian Grazer confirmed in June 2024 that a movie is in development. The long-dormant series may finally resolve the fate of Jack Bauer as it approaches its 25th anniversary.
The project follows a period of mounting activity behind the scenes. While Kiefer Sutherland has frequently expressed a willingness to return to the role of the counter-terrorism agent, the revival effort has gained more structure recently. Showrunner Howard Gordon has completed a story outline for the potential project.
The momentum for a new project has been building since mid-2024, when producer Brian Grazer confirmed that a 24 feature film was in early development at 20th Century Studios. Since that announcement, the project has transitioned into a more structured production effort.
The timing of these developments aligns with a major milestone for the franchise. The series originally premiered on November 6, 2001, meaning its 25th anniversary arrives on November 6, 2026. This anniversary provides a significant marketing window for Disney and 20th Century Studios, who currently own the intellectual property following the acquisition of 20th Century Fox assets.
Despite the development of a story outline, the final format of the project remains fluid. While early 2024 reports focused specifically on a feature film, the production could potentially take the form of a limited series or a rebooted television format.
Any return would likely need to address the cliffhanger ending of 2014’s 24: Live Another Day. In the finale of that limited series, Jack Bauer surrendered himself to Russian custody in exchange for the safety of his longtime ally, Chloe O’Brian. That conclusion left Bauer’s ultimate fate unresolved for over a decade, a narrative gap that a new production is expected to bridge.
