It's Too Late For 24 & Jack Bauer To Return | Screen Rant
It’s now too late for a 24 revival. Even in 2022, there’s talk of Kiefer Sutherland possibly returning to the role of Jack Bauer. Most recently, the actor expressed a willingness to play the character in a series that properly ended his 24 story.
24 was already revived once. 2014’s 24: Live Another Day essentially served as a 13-episode ninth season for the series that ended in 2010. Since Live Another Day left the door open for more stories, many have hoped that one day 24 would be revisited with another installment or revival. A reboot was attempted with 24: Legacy, but it didn’t include Jack. Since its cancellation, there have been multiple reports about the potential of 24 rejoining FOX’s TV lineup. These rumors have been fueled by comments from Sutherland and FOX executives, who have remained interested in doing more with the concept. Fox Entertainment President Michael Thorn said himself that “active discussions” about a 24 revival are taking place.
Given how prevalent reboots and revivals are, Jack Bauer’s return isn’t outside the realm of possibility. It’s certainly something that could happen. That being said, the time for such an opportunity has passed. Despite how beloved Jack is as a character, it’s reached a point where there would be too many creative challenges standing in the way of a return. Even Sutherland has commented on this aspect of it in the past. As the actor pointed out in a 2016 interview, “how many bad days can a guy have before it looks stupid?” [via The Independent].
24 always found ways to rope Jack Bauer into a new terrorist situation, even when he wasn’t actively working for CTU. For instance, being captured and imprisoned by the Chinese at the end of season 5 didn’t stop Jack from being at the center of the action again in season 6. Later seasons, including Live Another Day, had to overcome similar narrative obstacles to make Jack the hero. And 24 season 10 would be no exception. When Live Another Day left things, Jack was in the custody of the Russians. A 24 revival would have to break him out of prison – again. Also, 24 ended Jack’s story twice already (in season 8 and Live Another Day), so a third ending happening now after so many years would feel wholly unnecessary.
While some may suggest that 24 should continue on with a different lead character and leave Jack behind, this wouldn’t be a better alternative. The failure of 24: Legacy proved that the show doesn’t work without him, as he was the driving force of the franchise and what made it so popular to begin with. Instead, 24: Live Another Day should be counted as the final chapter in the story of one of TV’s most iconic action heroes.