After 8 seasons of the hit show “24″, Fox has decided to pull the plug on this unique action-drama due to rising expenses, lower ratings and the inability to involve Jack Bauer on another intense day. 20th Century Fox, the production company for the show, attempted to pitch it to NBC but was denied a time slot. Though the ratings are still high, it simply isn’t enough to cover the cost of each episode which includes a $5 million licensing fee to the studio.
The Hollywood Reporter interviewed producer Howard Gordon which gave some insight to the series finale:
THR: What’s next for “24″?
Gordon: There are other possible iterations of Jack Bauer and his world — whether a movie or some other sort of scenario. We’re developing the movie, Billy Ray (”State of Play,” “Shattered Glass”) is writing it. It depends on how well it comes out and Fox’s appetite. Most importantly it’s about ending the show right and doing it with the same level of intensity and commitment that we started with.THR: When’s the soonest that fans could realistically expect a feature film?
Gordon: Obviously the script’s still being written. It could be as early as next year depending on how things come together.
THR: Since the setting shifts to Europe for the movie, will CTU still play a role?
Gordon: Yes and no. Jack is really the center of it, catching up with him emotionally and locationally where he is. The opportunity is not to use the real-time aspect and also to do it on a scale the TV show never allowed.THR: Is there anything TV-related that you’re looking to do in the future with the “24” brand?
Gordon: There are conversations about that. If one of the writers came up with a good idea, I’d happily pitch to Kiefer and happily pitch the show to the network — whether Fox or someone else. We just don’t have that idea and that’s where everything has to start.
THR: You never pitched an idea for next season?
Gordon: We couldn’t come up with something that really satisfied us. We’ve done everything we feel we can do with that character in this format.
THR: How did ending the show come about?
Gordon: It helped that this was the end of a lot of peoples’ contracts. There was a deal finiteness in place. Also, every year is a high-wire act. We all look at each other and ask, ‘Can we really do this again?’ and it’s not with complete conviction that we say, ‘Yes.’ As an act of faith and effort, we get through it. This year Kiefer said it felt like the senior year of high school.
THR: How do you want “24” the series to be remembered?
Gordon: I’d like it to be remembered as a revolutionary concept. The second thing is that we loved this show so much and never did anything less than our best. I hope we delivered to our fans like we feel we did to ourselves. We loved this show from the very first hour to the last hour, so I hope people think of it being consistently at that quality and that it never dipped too terribly — except for season six.
THR: Can you tease to the rest of the season?
Gordon: We’ve taken a risk in the last eight episodes. It was challenging to the writers to the actors. We’re taking a risk, the show has to do that. Without spoiling what’s to come, it’s pretty dark and complex and a place that was uncomfortable for us to write and for some of the actors to act. We really swung for the fences. Because the show is as old as it is, this season hasn’t really been given its due. But our audience is hanging in there with us and I think it’s been a very successful season.
THR: How has this decision creatively impacted the ending?
Gordon: There have been a couple other season-enders that would have been spectacular series enders. Season four, season five and last year. I was more aware this time of ending something that really felt surprising, but not cheap; emotionally consistent. Some will throw their shoes at the screen, inevitably some will be angry, some will say they hated it the last three years. You can’t please everybody you can only do the best you can do. I’m hoping people lean forward. I’m hoping the first feeling people have is, “Damn I miss it, I want more.”
Fans can look forward to a feature length movie that is to take place in Europe and can expect a “definitive ending” to the season finale which is to air in May.
