24 prequel being developed at Fox focusing on young Jack Bauer

It looks like Fox may be going back to the 24 well once more.

In May, chairman and CEO of FoxTV Group Dana Walden announced that 24 showrunner Howard Gordon, along with co-creators Joel Surnow and Bob Cochran, was working on a new project in the 24 universe.

Now, Deadline reveals that after eight seasons, a revival series, and a reboot, the show is going where it hasn’t gone before: into the past with a prequel series.

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The series would trace the origin story of 24 hero Jack Bauer. It would take place before the start of the original series in 2001.

Bauer was played by Kiefer Sutherland for all eight seasons of the series and in the revival 24: Live Another Day.

However, Sutherland has been candid about the physical demands of the role. He has indicated that he likely won’t be returning to the terrorist-torturing, always-running character anytime soon.

A prequel could bring back the fan-favorite character without the need for Sutherland to reprise the role.

This is one of two 24 reboots currently in development at Fox and Imagine TV.

Brian Grazer from Imagine, Fox and Gordon have been considering new ideas for the real-time action drama since its last reboot, 24: Legacy, fizzled in 2017. Gordon and Jeremy Doner are also working on a legal thriller in the 24 universe.

It’s understandable that Fox and 24‘s producers would want to keep the franchise alive. The series was a ratings’ powerhouse and won Emmys for Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Actor for Sutherland about halfway through its eight-season run.

Yet, the most recent attempt at a reboot without Sutherland didn’t do well with audiences or critics and was canceled after a single season.

Since the producers can’t have Sutherland back, it makes sense that they would want to find a way to bring back his character in some capacity. Gordon, Surnow, and Cochran have written for  Jack Bauer for years and, therefore, could likely write a compelling backstory for him.

The key to the prequel, then, would likely be casting. Who could successfully replace Sutherland by bringing the same amount of intensity and conviction to the role of Jack Bauer? We’ll see, as the development of the prequel continues to move forward.

Stick with Show Snob as more news surfaces on the 24 prequel,