In Reel Time

There's been a lot of chatter of late about a big screen version of the popular FOX Broadcast Network TV drama 24 being made. As a fan of the show, from the begining, I am happy to report that most of the "T"'s have been crossed-"I"'s dotted, and a preliminary deal has been made. The project moves forward as Variety's Josef Adalian explains:

...Twentieth Century Fox has closed a deal with series creators Robert Cochran and Joel Surnow, as well as show runner Howard Gordon, to bring the Kiefer Sutherland real-time thriller to the big screen.

Surnow and Cochran will write the script, with Gordon working on the story. All three will produce via their Real Time Prods. banner, as will Imagine's Brian Grazer.

No talent deals are yet in place, though Sutherland -- an exec producer of the hit Fox series -- has made it clear he's interested in starring in the film should it snag a greenlight.

It's understood the Cochran-Surnow-Gordon troika will begin work on the script late this summer, just as production on the sixth season of the TV series gets under way.

Execs at 20th should have a draft of the script in their hands by early winter, insiders said. Once they see the script -- and look at ratings for the first few episodes of season six, which kicks off in January -- they'll be able to make a decision on greenlighting production of the film.

Under the most optimistic scenario, feature would be greenlit early next year and lense next spring and summer during the hiatus between season six and a likely seventh season of "24."

Current plan calls for the "24" feature to abandon the real-time conceit of the TV show, making Sutherland's Jack Bauer, rather than the clock, the star.

Such a notion would allow scribes much greater plot possibilities, opening up scenarios not possible on a show where all the action takes place in one day. Chief on the list is international travel.

It's believed producers are toying with several possible locales for the pic, including London.

[The show] has a strong [fan] base in [that part of the world].

A rough sketch of the "24" feature plot has been drafted, but all those involved in the project are keeping a tight lid on details for now.

Pic would likely pick up where season six of the show leaves off, at least chronologically.

Plotwise, however, the film is not expected to be tied too heavily to the "24" mythology, allowing those who haven't watched the series to understand the movie's action...

Just-wrapped fifth season of "24" repped a watershed for the [program] both creatively and commercially. Ratings were up 14% vs. 2005, with nearly 14 million viewers every week, and kudos pundits have been talking up the series' Emmy prospects...

I agree with the article...The 5th season of the show was indeed among its most creative and intense in series history. Sutherland's portrayal of hero Jack Bauer is thrilling with all of the daring do, while at the same time very human. I look forward to seeing what the producers come up with for the film. Of course, I'll have plenty to say as the production takes off, as well C'mon folks--Close the deal already!