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[Rich!]

So, thought this might be a good idea for a catch-all hub of updates on the upcoming return in early May 2014. I'll kick off the thread with a refresh on 24: Live Another Day and a few updates and curious chatter. I'll keep this thread updated as any new news comes in, as information is going to start coming out big time within the next few weeks and beyond.

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Series format - 12 episode seasons. Still takes place over one day, but the hours are not strict real-time as before. Basically, it cuts out all the bullshit.

Confirmed Location - London, UK. We don't know why Bauer is in London yet, but the rumoured threat of the first season seems to be cyber-terrorism and government secret leaking.

Confirmed returning characters:

Kiefer Sutherland - Jack Bauer
Mary Lynn Rajskub - Chloe O Brian
Kim Raver - Audrey Raines
William Devane - President James Heller

Confirmed new characters:

Stephen Fry as Sir Anthony Hogmanay Melche....wait, no I mean Trevor Davies — The British Prime Minister; a strong and charismatic leader whose friendship with President Heller comes under tremendous pressure because of personal and political crises.

Colin Salmon as General Coburn, an intelligent, powerful and fiercely loyal man who does not suffer fools no matter what rank.

Michael Wincott as Adrian — An 'infamous hacker', a charismatic hacker and a leader of the free information movement.

Yvonne Strahovski as Kate Morgan — A brilliant but impulsive CIA field operative in London.

Tate Donovan as Mark Boudreau — White House Chief of Staff, also the husband of Audrey Raines.

Gbenga Akinnagbe as Erik Ritter — A strong, sharp, arrogant and ambitious CIA field operative.

Rumoured (but as good as confirmed) returning characters:

http://i.minus.com/j9wOCPSmbejJY.png SPOILER, but it's not a spoiler as it's damn obvious who's back again.

OH MAN!

Returning Crew

- John Cassar, Howard Gordon, David Fury, Robert Cochran, Sean Callery.

Basically, everyone's back. Hooray!

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Now, for speculation. James Heller returning? He's gotta be the President. Seriously. Also, it's pretty much a given that

Spoiler

Tony

is back again. But London - how's that going to work? Why is Bauer there?

It's going to be amazing. I hope.

 

[Count of Monte Sawed-Off]

I never really warmed to Audrey, definitely my least favorite of Jack's girlfriends.

 

[MilkLizard]

24 without real-time is not 24 anymore.

 

[Lakitu]

If

Spoiler

Tony is back. I will be a forever happy man. He was great in Season 7.

I'm still going to miss the 24 hour format though. It's better than nothing though.

 

[Rich!]

24 without real-time is not 24 anymore.

So you'd rather they kept the 24 hour format along with the political and sideplot bullshit that acted as filler for half the season?

Jack Bauer is 24. The 12 episode format means we get more of Bauer, and less secondary bullshit. How is that anything but a good thing? Every single season had a huge amount of padding and filler purely so they were able to fill the entire 24 hour quota. Do you really want half the season dedicated to the wonderful adventures of Kim Bauer again?

On the same topic, they've already finished writing SIX episodes. They haven't started shooting yet. A far cry from the original series where they literally made it up as they went along, mainly due to the 24 hour format and it's constraints.

 

[Count of Monte Sawed-Off]

If

Spoiler

Tony is back. I will be a forever happy man. He was great in Season 7.

I'm still going to miss the 24 hour format though. It's better than nothing though.

Spoiler

The show really fucked over Tony. I guess because they were afraid to have a guy come so close to the awesomeness of Jack. I'm definitely hoping for a return.

So you'd rather they kept the 24 hour format along with the political and sideplot bullshit that acted as filler for half the season?

Jack Bauer is 24. The 12 episode format means we get more of Bauer, and less secondary bullshit. How is that anything but a good thing?

On the same topic, they've already finished writing SIX episodes. They haven't started shooting yet. A far cry from the original series where they literally made it up as they went along, mainly due to the 24 hour format and it's constraints.

Yeah, I'm hopeful that the 12 episode format will fix many of the problems that plagued 24.

 

[Dysun]

http://i.minus.com/j9wOCPSmbejJY.png SPOILER, but it's not a spoiler as it's damn

Pls be true

 

[Rich!]

Pls be true

That there is as much of a confirmation as you're ever going to get.

Spoiler

Carlos

has also stated he's been in talks to return and wants to do it. And now we have confirmation that he's had dinner with the executive producer and writing crew.

It's happening.

 

[Maddocks]

All aboard!

Can't wait for it to return. 12 hours of balls to the wall action instead of 12 hours of driving. HYPE!

 

[Rich!]

Do you guys agree that James Heller will be a great president?

Someone with authority, but also someone who knows Jack like Palmer did. He knows he can do the job - he's not going to fuck him around like Logan and co did.

Him being President would explain why Audrey is in the show even though Bauer is in London for the duration of it.

 

[Count of Monte Sawed-Off]

Do you guys agree that James Heller will be a great president?

Someone with authority, but also someone who knows Jack like Palmer did. He knows he can do the job - he's not going to fuck him around like Logan and co did.

I'd vote for William Devane. David Palmer will always be the best though, and Keith Palmer will always be the worst.

 

[DieH@rd]

I'm totally aboard the hype train. Show is gonna rock.

 

[brandonh83]

sorry the last time I got excited about

Spoiler

Tony,

we got Season 7.

 

[Ephemeris]

I call shotgun!

 

[soundpross]

WHERES THE BOMB!!!

 

[Rich!]

sorry the last time I got excited about

Spoiler

Tony,

we got Season 7.

I personally felt that Season 7 was a very strong season. It was better than 8, which had a terrible first half and a fucking amazing final half.

One thing which I'm worried about, especially with this being FOX, is the way they will portray us brits in the show. It's pretty much a given it'll be cringeworthy as all hell.

MORNING GUVNOR BAUER, I TIP MY HAT TO THEE DEAR SIR

 

[Team Filler]

Fantastic!

So should we call it the Bauer Compressed-Power Hour now?

 

[MilkLizard]

So you'd rather they kept the 24 hour format along with the political and sideplot bullshit that acted as filler for half the season?

Yes I do.

Jack Bauer is 24. The 12 episode format means we get more of Bauer, and less secondary bullshit. How is that anything but a good thing? Every single season had a huge amount of padding and filler purely so they were able to fill the entire 24 hour quota. Do you really want half the season dedicated to the wonderful adventures of Kim Bauer again?

More Bauer is a good thing, no doubt. But for me it's the whole concept of the show that always made me enjoy it. I want all the other stuff too, even if it's cheesy as hell. But that is just my opinion.

In the end, 12 episodes are better than no episodes,so I will watch it. And I will enjoy it.

On the same topic, they've already finished writing SIX episodes. They haven't started shooting yet. A far cry from the original series where they literally made it up as they went along, mainly due to the 24 hour format and it's constraints.

And this is indeed awesome.

 

[Rich!]

Fantastic!

So do we call it the Bauer Compressed-Power Hour now?

It's the Jack Bauer Constant Shower of Power.

 

[brandonh83]

I personally felt that Season 7 was a very strong season.

I meant in regards to how that character was handled. The overall season was okay I thought. I haven't finished 8 yet.

 

[Rich!]

I meant in regards to how that character was handled. The overall season was okay I thought. I haven't finished 8 yet.

Final half of Season 8 is the greatest 24 has ever, ever been. Jack Bauer unleashed.

Even the poor ending scene is okay with me now that 24 is returning. 24 never ended, really.

 

[Tookay]

It's time for

Spoiler

Tony's

redemption.

Also President Heller would be badass.

 

[Count of Monte Sawed-Off]

I meant in regards to how that character was handled. The overall season was okay I thought. I haven't finished 8 yet.

Yeah, the ending for that character made me want to punch a wall. The Shield Final Episode Spoilers:

Spoiler

He got Gardocki'd.

 

[Junior Mint]

24 without real-time is not 24 anymore.

Remember when Kim Bauer got kidnapped like 3 times in a single season?

 

[Rich!]

Yeah, the ending for that character made me want to punch a wall. The Shield Final Episode Spoilers:

Spoiler

He got Gardocki'd.

But he's most likely coming back, so that kinda kills the comparison there. No one from the Shield is coming back lol

It was a bit annoying at the time though. Such a great character with a shitty send off. His second shitty send off, in fact! Let's see if he can make it a hat trick!

 

[Treythalomew]

Absolutely hyped for this especially because of the condensed format. I always thought 24 like Dexter just died whenever any time was spent on additional plots that go nowhere. 24 is Jack doing badass things and anytime other than that should be him yelling at people.

 

[Count of Monte Sawed-Off]

But he's most likely coming back, so that kinda kills the comparison there. No one from the Shield is coming back lol

It was a bit annoying at the time though. Such a great character with a shitty send off. His second shitty send off, in fact! Let's see if he can make it a hat trick!

Oh man, I don't think I could take a third.

 

[Grover Cleveland]

Absolutely hyped for this especially because of the condensed format. I always thought 24 like Dexter just died whenever any time was spent on additional plots that go nowhere. 24 is Jack doing badass things and anytime other than that should be him yelling at people.

Agreed.

The problem with doing 24 hours is it's really hard to keep up the high level of energy for the whole season. Then you end up with Kim running from mountain lions or whatever the hell happened at the end of S6.

 

[Tugatrix]

I'm hype train too, what about some promo/teaser/trailer ?

 

[Rich!]

I'm hype train too, what about some promo/teaser/trailer ?

It'll hit in either mid to late Jan or early Feb at the latest. Filming starts early Jan, so we'll get set shots and possibly promo stuff from then onwards.

 

[strafer]

No big enough train for my hype.

 

[brandonh83]

Final half of Season 8 is the greatest 24 has ever, ever been. Jack Bauer unleashed.

Interest piqued.

 

[foxtrot3d]

YES! YESSS! YESSSSSS!!!!

Can't fucking wait for it, and yeah it's obvious Heller is President though I guess that also means Audrey is out of her vegetative state since she's back. Not sure how I feel about London though, too much dark and dreary weather and Jack Bauer is all American. Also, yes it is great they've already written six episodes which should hopefully cancel out the make it up as they go along writing that plagued the later seasons.

 

[Count of Monte Sawed-Off]

No big enough train for my hype.

Wonder who else from the cast of Robocop they can dig up to appear in this thing. Ronny Cox is still working.

 

[Rich!]

Interest piqued.

There's a definite point where you can tell the showrunners discovered the season would be the last. From that point on, it's absolute fucking chaos and 100% Bauer. It's basically the best example of Jack Bauer as an unstoppable, unforgiving, armageddon bringing force of nature.

 

[Tugatrix]

It'll hit in either mid to late Jan or early Feb at the latest. Filming starts early Jan, so we'll get set shots and possibly promo stuff from then onwards.

thanks, I though they already start filming, guess I was wrong.

Early January? Isn't it a bit late or rushed to be release in April?

Better start s6, s7 and s8 marathon, already re-watch the previous seasons a while back

 

[ivysaur12]

I've been hearing really good things. I'm excited.

 

[Rich!]

thanks, I though they already start filming, guess I was wrong.

Early January? Isn't it a bit late or rushed to be release in April?

Better start s6, s7 and s8 marathon, already re-watch the previous seasons a while back

Maybe they have started filming...I was under the impression they started preliminary lensing and scouting but nothing else. I'll check my sources.

Either way, if they were filming already we would know - it's London. Kiefer in London as Jack Bauer is big fucking news.

 

[Servbot24]

Can't wait. I always wondered how good the show could have been if they wrote it in advance and didn't need so much filler. I just hope the writers are hungry.

I thought Audrey was a pretty good gf for Jack. She's smart, she's not too annoying. More than I can say for most of his women.

 

[foxtrot3d]

There's a definite point where you can tell the showrunners discovered the season would be the last. From that point on, it's absolute fucking chaos and 100% Bauer.

I actually hated the final half of Season 8,

Spoiler

I just thought killing Renee was stupid. Like what is she the fifth lover of Jack to be killed or seriously hurt.

Plus, his actions made no sense, like I get he's just full of rage but what was he expecting? The President to start WWIII with the Russians?

 

[Atrophis]

Plot sounds awful. Jack saving the world from the evil whistleblowers. Vomit.

 

[smr00]

I've been hearing really good things. I'm excited.

Do you think there is a chance that this does insane in the ratings making them want to bring back the series and not just a 12 episode event or whatever?

 

[Servbot24]

Plot sounds awful. Jack saving the world from the evil whistleblowers. Vomit.

We don't know that he's a simple whistleblower. Maybe he's leaking national security information to other countries.



Boy, I'm still mad at Season 8 for ruining Jack's character. Renee practically destroyed the show single-handedly. I hope they ignore that as much as possible in this series.

 

[strafer]

Season 3 is still my favorite season.

And my favorite scene from season 6.

Jack Bauer: Put it down. (Heller stares in disbelief) Now.
James Heller: Are you here to kill me?
Jack Bauer: Depends. Where's Audrey?
James Heller: I told you before, you're not getting anywhere near her...
Jack Bauer: You do not tell me what to do anymore! Do you understand me? YOU do not tell me what to do. I just watched my father die, and I felt nothing. You know why?..... Yea..... you know why. Because that man was dead to me years ago. I admired you. I looked up to you like a father. You were the type of man I wanted to be, and you took advantage of it.
James Heller: Jack listen to me....
Jack Bauer: No! You are gonna listen to me. Earlier today... you said that I was cursed. That anything I touched.... ended up dead or ruined. How dare you. How... dare you. The only thing I did, the only thing I have EVER done is what you and people like you have asked of me. Why didn't you try to get me out of China?
James Heller: I did try.
Jack Bauer: Not hard enough! You had the political power. Was the timing not right? Was it a little too complicated? Or was I just an acceptable loss?
James Heller: Jack, I understand your anger....
Jack Bauer: Shut up! You don't understand a thing about me, but I know you. I know why you're angry at me, and it wasn't because Audrey came to China to save me. It's 'cause when you told her not to, she did it anyway. You'll never understand that kind of commitment. That kind of loyalty.
James Heller: You're right, Jack. It wasn't fair of me to put all this on you. To blame you for what happened to Audrey. I know the sacrifices you've made. I know this country owes you more than it'll ever repay.
Jack Bauer: I'm not interested in what you think this country owes me. I want my life back, and I want it now. Audrey's all I've got. You can't stop me. In case you've forgotten, I'm very good at disappearing.... and if you try sending someone after us I'll kill 'em. Pretty good at that, too.
James Heller: Jack simply getting your life back isn't gonna change who you are... and you can't walk away from it. You know that. You've tried it. Sooner or later you're gonna get back in the game, and my daughter's gonna pay the price.... like your wife did.
Jack Bauer: (deeply disturbed) You son of a bitch.
James Heller: Jack, I beg you to stop for a moment and think... think, Jack. You won't be able to take care of her the way you want to.
Jack Bauer: Where is she? Take me to her now. ("Day 6: 5:00am-6:00am")

Jack Bauer: (to Audrey Raines) I know that I promised to take care of you and protect you... but I'm at a crossroads. Right now, the best way... the only way... to do that is to let you go. I hope one day you can understand. I hope one day you can forgive me. I love you with all my heart. And I always will.

 

[PhoenixDark]

Really like the condensed format here. Typically the problem with 24 seasons is that they have a stretch of average episodes. The first four are almost always great, whereas 9-12 tend to be mixed, and most seasons end with a strong final four episodes.

In this case I'm guessing a lot of focus will go into episodes 5-8, ie the middle. If they get that right I'm sure this will be good.

 

[woodchuck]

I couldn't care less for the real time format. 24 is all about BAUER

 

[Dany]

DAMMIT CHLOE

 

[brandonh83]

There's a definite point where you can tell the showrunners discovered the season would be the last. From that point on, it's absolute fucking chaos and 100% Bauer. It's basically the best example of Jack Bauer as an unstoppable, unforgiving, armageddon bringing force of nature.

Jesus. It's on Netflix too. Welp!

 

[SJRB]

Basically, everyone's back. Hooray!

Not everyone..

We miss you, Bill!

 

[Ushojax]

They better bring back Logan. Make him a cyborg or something.