While 24 definitely started going downhill after the show's stellar fifth season, it was still undeniably enjoyable to follow Jack Bauer's story. That ended in the UK-set Live Another Day with the former CTU agent being helicoptered away by the Russians in exchange for Chloe's life, and the prevailing theory is that Jack was likely facing a death sentence.
The series was later brought back as 24: Legacy, but without Bauer front and centre, fans simply weren't interested.
Talking to Entertainment Weekly (via ActioNewz.com), Sutherland revealed whether he would be open to reprising the role. Describing 24 as "the best time of my life," he added that, "It was incredibly special for me and I would like to see it continue on."
What does he think a continuation should look like, though?
"[Showrunner] Howard [Gordon] and I talk all the time and invariably it comes up," he teased. "The idea of him being brought back — I'm just spitballing — I think that's an interesting idea. You introduce a new cast of people in their effort to get him out, and it lives on from that point. There's a lot of ways to go about it."
"I also think it's such a great idea to take a 24-hour moment in somebody's life that is desperate — and that could be a fireman; that could be so many different circumstances," Sutherland continued. "I just think that to do something in real time is so clever — difficult, but clever — that I find it kind of shocking that it hasn't manifested itself into something else and/or bigger."
He concluded by pointing out, "I'm not more interested in one idea versus another," explaining that he believes 24 is a property with real franchise potential no matter what form it takes.
It seems we'll have to wait and see, but the clock is definitely ticking when it comes to the possibility of Sutherland playing Jack again. Fans deserve a proper ending to the character's story, but the actor isn't wrong when he says the 24-hour format could be used in a very different way too.
What do you guys think?