Fox’s iconic series 24 returns in 2017 with a spinoff, but it looks like the Counter Terrorist Unit’s top agent won’t be checking in. Kiefer Sutherland confirmed to Deadline on Thursday that he won’t be reprising his role as Jack Bauer in 24: Legacy.
“There are absolutely no plans for that,” he said.
This comes after executive producer Howard Gordon got our collective hopes up, saying at the ATX TV Festival in Austin that he wanted Jack Bauer to return “at some point” in the show, with a hint that Sutherland hadn’t “ruled it out either.” The spinoff stars Corey Hawkins as Bauer’s CTU successor, but Gordon has said on more than one occasion that Bauer could come back. Not anymore, it seems.
It’s funny, because earlier it seemed like Sutherland was at least open to the idea. After coming on as a producer for 24: Legacy a few months ago, Sutherland hinted that Bauer could still be around. “Bauer’s still out there, so you never know what’s going to happen,” he said. Looks like he changed his mind.
Currently, Sutherland is starring in the upcoming ABC drama Designated Survivor, as well as filming the upcoming Flatliners sequel, so likely he wouldn’t have time for a cameo. In addition, Sutherland has been very vocal about being done with the character. He actually wanted Jack Bauer to die at the end of 2014’s 24: Live Another Day, instead of being turned over to Russia.
24: Legacy debuts Feb. 5, after the 2017 Super Bowl.
(Via Deadline)
