‘24’ Creator Howard Gordon Talks Revival After Kiefer Sutherland Hints

Howard Gordon, the executive producer and showrunner behind the hit series 24, spoke with Deadline about a possible revival of the real-time thriller. His comments come after 24 star Kiefer Sutherland hinted at new developments for the series.

Sutherland, who plays federal agent Jack Bauer, told a radio show, “Howard Gordon has come up with an idea that I like. Something has been written, I think it’s really good.”

He added that the project still needs approval, saying, “It has to go through different channels before it’s either approved or disapproved,” but confirmed, “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.”

Gordon confirmed that development is underway but stressed that nothing is finalized yet. “It’s absolutely in process, there’s something we are developing. They, meaning Disney and such, have not committed to it, so it still is a process,” he said.

Over the years, he explained, there have been several attempts to continue the 24 universe, including potential spin-offs with other actors and pitches from outside writers. “I have such a nostalgia for that show, and I think Kiefer does too. One thing we couldn’t figure out for a long time was a direction that ever held water, that sustained itself. This feels like it could be, but it’s not formal, it’s not done,” Gordon added.

Gordon also emphasized his commitment to quality. “What I really don’t want to happen is that it’s not good because I don’t think that’s fair to the show. It’s not fair to the fans, not fair to, frankly, to myself. So it has to be something that you connect to, or at least you tell yourself you’re connected to. It may not turn out very well, but you have to at least believe that it’s something,” he said.

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