Good news for terrorists everywhere: With just one more year left on Kiefer Sutherland’s 24 contract, there’s a very real possibility that Jack Bauer’s career as the world’s foremost savior may end next season. And while Sutherland says he’s undecided as to whether day 8 will be his last, he’s watching the clock in a way he never has before.
“I don’t think about [the end of 24] a lot, but I did this year for the
first time,” he confesses. “It was one of those weird moments where the
stage was unusually quiet; it was like a ghost town. I was looking
around [thinking] about all the work that went into building this thing
and it hit me: This will end one day, and I’m going to be sad about it.
“Whether season 8 is the end or not, I don’t know,” he continues. “I
love making the show, so I’m leaving my options open. And in all
fairness, I think the audience will dictate that more than anybody.”
In the meantime, perhaps even more critical than determining when Jack will pack it in is how.
“There are two obvious choices: Jack dies, or Jack finally has a happy
ending,” suggests executive producer Evan Katz. “It’s actually an
interesting discussion as to which would be more faithful to the show
and more rewarding for the audience. Because if we give him a happy
ending, part of the audience would be mad at us for doing what is easy.
And if we kill him, they would be mad at us for a different reason
altogether.”
There are also the bean counters at 20th Century Fox to consider; they’ll need Jack alive if there’s to be a 24 movie franchise (as many expect there will be). “Kiefer and I have always said, ‘Jack Bauer’s gotta die,’” says fellow EP and frequent director Jon Cassar. “But then the idea of a 24 movie came up and we went, ‘Oh, okay, maybe not.’
“I always joke that Jack dies and they discover he’s been the terminator the whole time,” Cassar adds with a laugh. “That’s why he never died [and] why he can’t stay in relationships. And then they take another Jack Bauer off the rack and send him out into the world. It makes a lot of sense, but I don’t think it’ll happen.”
What kind of ending do you envision for Jack? And how would you feel if 24 were to call it a day next year (at least on the small screen)? Sound off below!
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Comments (1-30) of 504 Add your comment
I was hoping Jack would pass on the baton back when they had Chase on, maybe not to him, but the idea – and that went nowhere. I think Jack dying heroically would be how Jack would want it to end!
Jack can’t die period. The show should end with him as President of the USA.
Jack dying will be the end of the series however I absolutely forbid it you hear me do NOT kill him!!! the series should end with him back to full health and a sense of complete peace of mind and a very happy life.
I think Jack should die. And then if there is a movie, have it set in the past. That way characters like Nina Myers, George Mason, Michelle Dessler etc. can all be revived.
I love 24 and always have since I started watching in season 2, but somewhere around season 4-5, the same storylines kept popping up over and over again. I am not saying the show is still not good, but it has definitely lost that WOW and surprise factor it had in the early years. I do hope they end it before it becomes a joke, which was pretty much what it became last season. So far this season isn’t bad, but we are again getting a mole storyline, Jack going undercover, ect. At least it is in another location to freshen things up.
I love 24, but I’m also of the “quit while you’re ahead” mindset. The show is definitely back on track after a subpar sixth season, so it kind of makes sense to produce two more kick-butt seasons and wrap it up. (Preferably with Jack alive – he’s suffered enough; let him have some peace.)
As for a movie, I like the Lost guys’ take on it. Viewers commit eight years of their lives to a story, then have to pay $10 to see how it wraps up? That doesn’t seem fair.
I think Jack finally dying to save the world is the way it should end. I personally would laugh at him having a “happy ending” after all he’s been through. His life centers around doing whatever it takes to stop the bad guy, and in the end, it should take his life!
Jack Bauer can not die! He deserves a happy ending and we deserve, at the very least, a trilogy of movies. I still say this is the best show on television. Thanks to all who makes this show as great as it is.
I am not ready for the end of 24 yet. It is great, edge of your seat television and entertainment. It is a well written and extremely well acted show. We need it beyond day 8.
As for the end…to stay true with 24 Jack must die! However, it would be great to have a 24 movie franchise for us loyalists so I’m torn.
President Jack Bauer!
Dear EW.com – PLEASE leave the headlines for the Ausiello files more vague!!!!! He reveals spoilers, and some of us don’t want to read them (plus he’s annoying and I wouldn’t want to read his articles anyway). Thanks
He should gain the ability to fly and leave Earth for another planet in need of saving.
Good news for terrorists everywhere.. lol
Jack Bauer takes off his mask and it has really been Chuck Norris this whole time
I love Kiefer Sutherland and the show wouldn’t work without him. He makes the show and brings his excellent acting ability and believability to the character. I hope he’ll stick around for awhile and I pray that when the say comes when he wants to leave that they don’t kill off Jack Bauer, that would be the biggest bummer to me.
not good for president but secretary of national defense fits his character.
Though it seems fitting to his character, I don’t want Jack to die. I think instead of a happily ever after or death, he should have a sort of bitter sweet ending. I don’t thinK Jack would want to be president, he loves our country but he is not a desk job type of guy. He should marry Renee, she is cool! And Kim Bauer is a pain in the neck, she should never come back.
a 24 Movie? what would you call it? “2″?
I stoped watching 24 during Day 6 but, i started to watch it again this year and i have to say the show is good again with Tony back and teamed up with Bill,Chloe,and Jack to get down to business i am gald to say i’m watching 24 again i know we’re only 4 episodes in but, i have to say it’s the best season since season 3. And wether they should kill Jack or not at the end of the series i don’t know but, if they do a movie then they shouldn’t kill him off. It is a good idea however to kill him off on the show and if they do a movie then set it in the past whoever mention that that’s not a bad pitch at all.
I love Jack. But he can’t have a happy and because he will never be happy. He haz too much baggage. I think he has to die in the end. But I hope the end isn’t near!
Jack is a tragic character and it is fitting that he meets a tragic end. It would only be appropriate that he dies saving us. I can’t picture him living a happy life, not with what he has been through.
Jack Bauer and “24″ the best on tv. Never miss it and I hope it stays on a bit longer but if it has to end… Jack must die, his life is very violent, it’s only natural.
Awsome work. Love the show.
Maria
Jack should finally find piece, and what a better way than finding real love or rediscover it with a previous flame. But at the same time, let’say someone is playing him unexpectedly either this season or next year, he could be shot and survived by his fiancée, who would then seek revenge… in her own tv series. A bit like James Bond’s On her majesty’s secret services, except it would be the wife who would pursue what Jack had started 7-8 years ago.
They should do a demolition man set up where he is cryonically frozen for years and then reawakened to save the day as well as what the happen to the family line of his as well as his old conrads.
Jack dying is too cliched but he can’t have the “happy” ending either. The writers should come up with something more creative like he loses his legs and we all think he is going to die then *twist* he doesn’t.
Cut to the future and he is being grilled by Congress on his actions where it is revealed that he is now the National Security Advisor or director of some intelligence agency.
They should do a Demolition Man set up where he is cryonically frozen for years and then reawakened to save the day as well as what happened to the family line of his as well as his old conrads.
Please say no to quiting. So many shows now after 8-9yrs say enough. But don’t let this one be one of them.CSI will not be same now since many of the main folks from the begining have left and not so sure I will cont. watching it. The jury is still out but I’m going to give it a chance. Please don’t end the show!
I believe finding peace is not cliche. Anyone can start over and have redemption. While a house and a white picketed fence may not be the right way to go- I think giving Jack a “rides off into the sunset” to be fitting for him. Jack Bauer deserves closure and not just killed off. Jack has fought for freedom all this time, he must get it in the end and remaining alive. Bittersweet as it will be.
Jack should die in the series. (bad guy and jack die in an explosion. For the movie, Jack’s body has to be exumed, they see there is no body in the grave. Flashback to the end of the series, (what the series audience did not see was jack did die, but another world problem comes to light, and as part of a “secret” goverment project, Jack’s body was brought to area 51 and through a seris of complex sequences, Jack is brought back to life. With No memory of his former life, he is sent to battle the bad guys once again! (long live Jack)
I’m affraid that if Jack dies my husband will mourn…forever. It would be great if they could avoid that for me, and come up with something a little more creative, but still not the drive off into the sunset with the love of his life type ending.
I think he should get a happy ending by marrying Audrey.