The 24 Movie Needs To Keep This Franchise Tradition Alive

The 24 Movie Needs To Keep This Franchise Tradition Alive

Key Takeaways

  • The 24 Movie is in development at 20th Century Studios after years of speculation.
  • The absence of the real-time element in the movie makes the ticking clock crucial.
  • The movie must preserve the iconic ticking clock for authenticity and to maintain suspense.

As a seasoned gamer and a binge-watcher of countless action series, I can’t help but feel a surge of nostalgia at the news of the upcoming 24 movie. The original series was more than just a TV show; it was an adrenaline-fueled rollercoaster ride that had us on the edge of our seats, with Kiefer Sutherland’s Jack Bauer racing against time to save the world from terrorists.


As a die-hard fan, I’m thrilled to share that the big-screen adaptation of the legendary action series, “24”, is now in development at 20th Century Studios, under Disney’s wings, over a decade since its TV run concluded. While Kiefer Sutherland hasn’t sealed the deal yet, it’s tough to envision a movie rendition without our beloved Jack Bauer, the former Federal agent, in the lead role.

24, produced by Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran, initially aired on Fox from 2001 to 2010 over eight seasons, and returned as a limited series in 2014 called 24: Live Another Day. A television movie, 24: Redemption, was released in 2008 to fill the gap between seasons due to a writer’s strike. Each season portrayed 24 hours unfolding in real-time, following Jack Bauer and his CTU team as they foiled numerous terrorist attacks across cities like Los Angeles, Washington DC, New York City, and London. The upcoming 24 Movie remains undated regarding production start and location.

The Loss Of The Real Time Element in The 24 Movie Makes The Return Of The Ticking Clock Much More Important

The 24 Movie Needs To Keep This Franchise Tradition Alive

At a crucial moment, Jack Bauer emerged as the ideal fictional figure, given the devastating September 11th terrorist attacks in New York City in 2001 had left America yearning for a symbol of resistance against global wickedness. The series 24 swiftly rose to fame as one of the greatest action shows ever made and was revolutionary thanks to its real-time format. Each season depicted 24 hours in Jack Bauer’s life, as he struggled tirelessly against time to safeguard the world. However, when a film adaptation, the 24 Movie, was proposed, it sparked debate about how it could maintain its appeal without the distinctive real-time structure. Yet, it can work provided that the movie continues to incorporate the relentless ticking clock which fueled tension throughout each episode.

The 24 Movie Needs To Keep This Franchise Tradition Alive

24 is set to return, maintaining the iconic ticking clock that heightens tension as the threat against America escalates minute by minute. This countdown device mirrors each commercial break, with a brief pause during adverts to reflect their length. Typically, an episode lasts 42-43 minutes, unfolding over an hour. The sound of the ticking clock is not only crucial for maintaining suspense but also serves as a defining characteristic of the series, making its return essential.

The 24 Movie Needs To Keep The Ticking Clock As It Will Be Vital To The Ending

In every episode of the show, there was always a nail-biting conclusion indicated by the countdown timer reaching the final minute of an hour. At the culmination of each season, this timer would appear on screen to symbolize the series finale. To make the 24 movie stand out from other typical action films, it’s essential to include that iconic countdown clock at the end, or else it risks being just another generic action flick – something fans wouldn’t want.

In the prolonged television series, the ticking clock underwent changes, sometimes functioning as a silent clock during the most poignant character deaths. Elsewhere throughout the series, the ticking clock was utilized differently, and these instances might be reused in the film. However, the essential point is that it will make an appearance, albeit in a different form.

Why Has It Taken So Long For a 24 Movie To Happen?

The 24 Movie Needs To Keep This Franchise Tradition Alive

For a long time, there were talks about creating a 24 film, but it never came to fruition until this moment. Kiefer Sutherland has always been eager to portray Jack Bauer on the silver screen, and the producer behind the current movie plans, Brian Grazer, explained why it didn’t happen in an interview with Deadline back in 2017, during the promotion of the spin-off series, 24: Legacy.

The ideal setting for this project turned out to be challenging. We struggled to identify a suitable location that felt authentic, while America didn’t seem quite right. A TV show in America, however, proved to be an excellent compromise. However, we encountered difficulties when we moved the production to European countries, as the economics just didn’t align. We were unable to secure sufficient funding to bring our vision to life. Ultimately, we couldn’t find a suitable location, develop a compelling story, and the costs were consistently prohibitive.

It’s obvious that something has evolved over time, making us eager to discover how the 24: Movie unfolds during production. As far as I’m concerned, if Kiefer Sutherland and the distinctive countdown clock are present, everything else should smoothly align for the much-anticipated big screen rendition of the legendary TV series.

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2024-09-11 21:03