Jack Bauer might have survived just about everything thrown at him, but getting back onto television appears to be one mission even he cannot complete single-handedly. Kiefer Sutherland (‘Designated Survivor’, ‘Rabbit Hole’) has offered a fresh update on a potential ‘24‘ revival, saying there is a “really good idea” in place and making it clear he would love to return.
Before you start digging out your CTU ringtone, however, this is an encouraging update rather than an announcement that a new season has been commissioned. According to Sutherland, the creative enthusiasm is there, but the people controlling the franchise still need to decide they want to make it.
Speaking during a ‘Young Guns’ panel at FanX Salt Lake, moderated by Collider’s Maggie Lovitt, Sutherland addressed the obstacles facing another outing for Jack.
“I don’t believe it’s a rights issue. It’s just the people who have the rights have to have the will and want to make it.”
The actor also pointed to changes in corporate ownership as a factor, suggesting that those now overseeing the property may not have the same investment in it as the people involved in making the original series. Disney owns the rights following its acquisition of 20th Century Fox’s television business, so a good story and a willing leading man are only part of the equation.
Jack Bauer Has Some Unfinished Business
Sutherland praised longtime executive producer Howard Gordon and series co-creator Joel Surnow while discussing the idea for a return. His own enthusiasm, at least, does not seem to need much persuading.
“I miss the show. I miss making something that made people so happy, and so I can only hope that it happens really soon because no one wants to see an old, kind of limping Jack Bauer. So, yeah, we’ll see what happens.”
That follows comments Sutherland made to Radio Times magazine in December 2025, when he revealed Gordon had come up with an outline he considered an exciting step forward. These latest remarks suggest the possibility remains alive, although they do not amount to confirmation that production is moving ahead.
There is certainly unfinished business for the character. Sutherland last played Jack in ’24: Live Another Day’, the London-set event series which aired in 2014. Its ending left Bauer surrendering himself to the Russians in exchange for Chloe O’Brian’s freedom, which is hardly the sort of retirement package you would wish on someone after that many very bad days.
The original ’24’ launched in 2001, building its identity around a real-time format in which each episode covered an hour of Jack’s increasingly stressful working day. Split screens, ticking clocks and the suspicion that almost anyone might be a mole became part of its appeal. A return would have an obvious hook in revisiting Jack’s fate, but Sutherland’s comments leave the shape of that potential project open.
For now, there is an idea he likes and a character he misses. Whether that becomes another appointment with the ticking clock remains in the hands of the rights holders.
There Is Also An Encouraging Update On The Regulators
The same panel brought news of another long-discussed reunion, with Sutherland praising the script for ‘Young Guns 3’.
Appearing alongside Lou Diamond Phillips (‘Prodigal Son’, ‘Longmire’), the actor discussed conversations with Emilio Estevez (‘The Breakfast Club’, ‘The Mighty Ducks’) about whether his Doc Scurlock could somehow return. Anyone who remembers ‘Young Guns II’ will appreciate why Sutherland might have a few questions about that suggestion.
“But I promise you, the script is amazing, and it’s going to be with Lou and Emilio and a new cast.”
The project has been developed under the title ‘Young Guns 3: Dead or Alive’, with Estevez attached to return as Billy the Kid and direct. Original screenwriter John Fusco has also been involved. Phillips suggested Christian Slater (‘Mr. Robot’, ‘Heathers’) is expected to return, having played Arkansas Dave Rudabaugh in the second film.
That is a promising collection of familiar faces, although enthusiasm for a script is still a different stage from cameras rolling. Phillips indicated Estevez is working to get the film moving, with no production start date announced in these comments.
As for ’24’, a revival has not been given a confirmed green light.
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