20th Century Fox Television has axed Billy Ray's (State of Play) 24 film script.  While this probably means Mr. Jack Bauer won't be gracing the silver-screen in the immediate future, according to executive producer (of the series and, purportedly, the film adaptation) Howard Gordon, the film is by no means dead:

"As far as I know, it is in suspended animation.  There is talk about re-approaching it.  I understand (director/producer) Tony Scott is meeting with Kiefer to talk about ideas. People are still talking about it.”

To read more from Gordon and for a reminder on what Kiefer Sutherland has to say about the 24 film, hit the jump.

24_tv_show_image__medium

While obviously less than thrilled that Fox said "thanks, but no thanks" to Ray's script, Gordon reiterated to EW that he still believes a 24 film will get made:

“I was disappointed [Fox] passed on the script, but I’m certainly hopeful that the movie will get made at some point.  Anecdotally, I’ve heard from people who are really missing the show and I do think there is more life in Jack Bauer.”

As for Kiefer Sutherland's take on a film adaptation, when 24 wrapped up its eighth and final season back in May, the star told EW:

“Something we’ve dealt with in the series is how the crisis always has to come to us because we don’t have time to move anywhere in a real time world.  In a two-hour (movie) representation of the 24 world, planes, trains, and automobiles all of a sudden become a factor because you are not required to go scene by scene in real time. That’s something I can say I am very excited about."

So it seems like most of the parties involved still have work to do in terms of getting on the same page.  Nevertheless, given its instant recognition and long-running popularity, I will be very surprised if the trials and tribulations of Jack Bauer don't end up on the big screen eventually.

With that in mind, you can count me as interested in Gordon's mentioning that Sutherland is meeting with Tony Scott to toss around ideas for the film.  In my opinion, while Scott's films may not always offer a ton in the way of sophistication, the director's visual style would be an interesting fit for the world of 24.

That is, of course, assuming that Scott is interested in helming the film rather than acting solely in a producing capacity.  In any case, I think it's safe to assume that we'll be waiting longer than 24 hours for concrete information regarding the film.

24_poster_image