Fox is rebooting its groundbreaking series "24" with "24: Legacy," but the network announced that the new show will no longer headline TV hero Jack Bauer, played by Kiefer Sutherland. However, the producers confirm that this doesn't mean it's the end for the character. In fact, Jack Bauer could still appear in the reboot.
Speaking in a panel the ATX TV Festival over the weekend, "24: Legacy" producer Howard Gordon clarified that they haven't killed off Jack Bauer in "24" after doing the mini-series "24: Live Another Day" in 2014. Thus, there's a strong possibility Jack Bauer could be featured in one of the 12 episodes of the reboot. There's also a strong possibility some of the original cast members are going to be in the new show.
Gordon said that Jack could be in a "couple of episodes" of "24: Legacy," per Deadline. However, talks between him and Keifer Sutherland have yet to take place. It should be noted that Sutherland is actually already part of "24: Legacy," but he's working behind the scenes as one of its producers. He's already tied up to an upcoming series, "Designated Survivor" on ABC, where he plays the U.S. president.
Ready for more #JackBauer? Producer says @RealKiefer may reprise his role for #24Legacy https://t.co/KFIenlCVHV pic.twitter.com/a2ZfmlN3xO
— ET Canada (@ETCanada) June 13, 2016
"24: Legacy" features Corey Hawkins as war hero Eric Carter, who has been tapped by the Counter Terrorist Unit (CTU) for a special mission. As avid viewers of "24" are aware, Jack Bauer is a CTU legend.
AJC reports that "24: Legacy" will begin shooting in Atlanta, Georgia "later in the year," which means Sutherland has to make adjustments to his schedule for "Designated Survivor," if he does agree to guest star on "24: Legacy." Per Pop Goes The News, "Designated Survivor" is filming between March to October in Toronto.
Back in 2015, Sutherland expressed that he's not going to return to "24" anymore because he'd "like to do other things," per Slash Film. Sutherland has been Jack Bauer for over a decade, so there's certainly an attachment to the role. Perhaps, he might reconsider one last time for "24: Legacy." The limited series is set to air on Feb. 5, 2017.
