'The X-Files' Could Be Returning to TV with Mulder and Scully; Fox Eyes '24' Series Minus Jack Bauer

The dismal response to 2008's The X-Files: I Want to Believe wasn't enough to curb fans' appetites for further adventures with Mulder and Scully. While the poor box office wasn't going to convince 20th Century Fox to invest in another cinematic effort, the desire for a new TV series hasn't slowed in the least. And now all of those fans who kept hope alive could be rewarded with The X-Files' return.

According to Deadline, Fox TV's Gary Newman confirmed that series creator Cris Carter is in talks to bring The X-Files back to television. What form it would take is unclear but chances are it would be a limited "event" series in the vein of 24: Live Another Day which performed extraordinarily well for the network. Even better, it seems David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson are both on board for a comeback, because let's face it nobody wants to see The X-Files without them. It's all going to boil down to scheduling, and so far the talks haven't even reached the creative stage yet. In other words it could be awhile before everything comes together.

Meanwhile, Fox is also looking into continuing the 24 franchise after the success of 24: Live Another Day, but it may be happening without Kiefer Sutherland's Jack Bauer. Series producers have pitched to Fox a limited series that would follow the other characters in Bauer's dangerous world, but not necessarily Bauer himself. The project has the support of Sutherland, who is more than happy to take on another run of saving the world as Bauer in a future series. Fox TV's Dana Walden says “there is a point at which Jack Bauer could come in and fit organically into the story, or they are prepared to do… one installment without him."

Having a 24 without Jack Bauer would be like The X-Files without Mulder and Scully. It may be in the same world but audiences relate to that world through these specific characters. Not sure it's a sound idea but this is all just in the "idea" stages now and may not come to pass.

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'24' Movie Talks Rumored to be Heating Up Again

Ever since 24 ended its initial run back in 2010, fans have firmly believed the story of badass CTU agent Jack Bauer was far from over. The only question was how that story would continue to be told. A feature film had been developing for awhile, with Billy Ray (Shattered Glass, Breach) and Mark Bomback (The Wolverine) working on the script and Antoine Fuqua eying the director's chair for a 2012 shoot. But for various reasons the project never got off the ground, and when the 12-episode 24: Live Another Day was ordered up there seemed no need for a movie. But now the series is over and everybody wants more Jack Bauer, and they may finally get it on the big screen.

According to TVLine, talks have picked up again for a 24 movie, largely due to the ratings success of 24: Live Another Day. Imagine Entertainment and producer Brian Grazer are high on the idea of a movie again, but talks are said to be complicated because Fox is considering another season. And that has always been sort of the sticking point, hasn't it? 24 never truly felt gone so a movie never was really given the space it needed to develop. That doesn't seem to be the case now, either.

What it sounds like is we'll get at least one more 24: LAD miniseries and then a movie may follow, which basically keeps us at square one. Given how many years this movie has been talked about I wouldn't hold my breath until something is confirmed by 20th Century Fox.

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'24: Live Another Day' Trailer Hits!

 

Confession time...I've never watched 24 religiously. Sure, an episode here and there, but for whatever reason I never really got into it. If this trailer for 24: Live Another Day is any indication of the original series I may have to reconsider my stance on Jack Bauer. From what we can tell Jack has been underground for four years and resurfaces during a Presidential trip to London to thwart an attempt on the President's life. Of course, it can't be that simple. Jack is setup to look like he's the one trying to kill the Prez so his job becomes infinitely more difficult. Extra points for including Yvonne Strahovski back in a government agent type role, sure, she was fine in Dexter but we all love Yvonne for her work on Chuck. Outside of that the rest of the cast looks phenomenal and, as I stated before, the action and plot are enough to make me reconsider adding 24 to my netflix queue. Check out the trailer below and let us know what you think!

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Antoine Fuqua says the '24' movie won't happen

Sorry, Jack Bauer fans, but it looks like you'll have to pop in old DVDs to see more of your favorite action hero. Antoine Fuqua has been attached to direct the big screen version of 24, the hit Fox series that revived Kiefer Sutherland's career. While doing press for his latest film, Olympus Has Fallen, Fuqua was asked about 24's status, and it doesn't sound so good....

Fuqua: “Yeah, that’s not happening. I don’t think it’s gonna happen at all, definitely not with me...I met with Kiefer [Sutherland], Fox wanted to do it, it was a matter of his schedule before he went off to do his new show [’Touch‘].” 

It's been three years since 24 went off the air, and it's possible that the window of opportunity has passed. It was a hot project back then, but everyone who was interested seems to have moved on to other things.[ThePlaylist]

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Kiefer Sutherland reveals '24' start date; Mary Lynn Rajskub to return?

Even  before Jack Bauer took himself off the grid after saving the United States for the umpteenth time in the final season of 24, talk had already begun that the hit series would return on the silver screen.  It was confirmed by Sutherland and the show producers not long after, but progress has been slow going. The initial script by super talented writer Billy Ray(Breach) was rejected, and Tony Scott came aboard in some unknown capacity. Meanwhile there's been no casting, the start date keeps getting bumped around, and a general lack of direction.

While talking about his new Fox series, Touch, Sutherland also provided an update on 24, stating that the plan is for production to begin in April or May. The story will jump ahead about six months from the series finale, presumably with Bauer still off on his own. That's good, because every woman he gets involved with is either a traitor or turns up dead. The newest draft of the script by Mark Bomback will be in keeping with the tone of the show, covering a 24 hour period in time, although obviously in condensed fashion. Sorry, folks. We won't actually be sitting in the theater for 24 hours. I know. What a ripoff!

If Sutherland and producer Howard Gordon are expecting to get the ball rolling that soon, then the casting process will need to get underway immediately. So far nobody is confirmed other than Sutherland, but Gordon says that Mary Lynn Rajskub's popular 'Chloe' character will appear. [TV Line]

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Jack Bauer...Movie Star! Fox Hires Writer to Pen 24 Script

A big screen action film starring the cast of 24 has been rumored about for years. The show has been one of Fox's biggest hits since it debuted back in 2001, and a film starring the one man army known as Jack Bauer seems like a logical course of action, not to mention a box office winner. 24 has a huge following not just here in America but across the globe. While the rumors died down somewhat after Fox produced a made-for-TV film that served as a prequel to Season 8, it looks like Kiefer Sutherland and Fox are prepared to go full steam ahead. 

Fox has hired Billy Ray to script a big screen film adventure for Jack Bauer, due to be set in Europe. This is already a departure from the show, which is primarily focused in either Los Angeles or Washington, DC. Studio execs say that the film obviously won't use the show's real-time structure, but will encapsulate one day into a two hour block.

Billy Ray has been a favorite of mine ever since he made Hayden Christensen seem credible in Shattered Glass back in 2003. He's since made a career of taut, mature political thrillers such as State of Play and Breach. So he's a perfect choice to handle this project. The only thing that could make it better would be if Paul Greengrass came on as director. Fat chance of that happening.

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