SDCC 2014: 24'S KIEFER SUTHERLAND ARRIVES AT COMIC-CON
Jack Bauer and EP reflect on Live Another Day and tease the rumored 24 movie.
24 JUL 2014 BY MAX NICHOLSON
24: Live Another Day is in the books, and to celebrate, the hit action show brought its own panel to San Diego Comic-Con on Thursday. The panel was small, with only series star
Kiefer Sutherland and executive producer
Jon Cassar in attendance, but Ballroom 20 was packed to the gills with fans, all ready and excited to see Jack Bauer. Here, the event was one-on-one interview-style, with Cassar moderating and Sutherland fielding questions about the recently ended ninth season.
To start, Cassar asked Sutherland about working in London and how that differed from their previous shoots in Los Angeles. "It was difficult," the actor replied. "They've got a lot of rules [in London]. The gun thing was a real issue." Typically, he said, there would be a truck full of all kinds of weapons that the prop master would have on-hand. But while shooting in the UK, the crew needed six weeks' notice to use any guns on set.
Sutherland also mentioned that shooting with an entirely new crew took some getting used to. "It was very odd," he said, "but London was a fantastic experience... There was a texture in the UK that was unique and special."
In regards to how Season 9 ended and where Jack ended up in all this, Sutherland explained, "I think the fact that he managed to save Chloe in that moment gave him some satisfaction... but we went through so many different ideas for that ending.
"I think on some level, we kind of copped out, because it's hard to let it go. It's hard to end it. We sort of came full-face to that, and it was difficult... and your response to the end of this season was very gracious."
Speaking of alternate endings, Sutherland revealed that in the script he wasn't going to throw Michelle Fairley's character Margot Al-Hazari out of a window -- which is now a favorite scene among fans. In fact, as it was written, Sutherland said, "[Jack] came in and just shot her."
Not satisfied with that outcome, Sutherland spoke to Cassar about changing the scene. "[I said] 'No, no, no. That's not possible. I at least have to have a scene with her.'" So the writers added a few more lines, as well as the defenestration in question. "She was actually quite strong, so by the time I chucked her out the window, I was quite happy. [Laughs]"
Following the dialogue between Sutherland and Cassar, the panel opened up for fan questions.
Given the wide range of talent featured on
24 over the years, Sutherland was asked if there was anyone he'd like to cast in another season, if one were to get the green light. "It would be hard to pick... There is a revolving door of actors, because we always kill them," he added with a laugh.
"We were having a discussion last night -- we were talking about our favorite actors." While the person Sutherland would want to work with doesn't really work anymore, he said, "I think Gene Hackman is one of the greatest actors ever to speak the English language." Naturally, this answer was met with applause.
Finally, Cassar was asked about the 24 movie -- which was rumored to have the late Tony Scott direct before Live Another Day eventually came to be -- and whether he would be interested in taking the reins for that down the line. "It's hard to talk about that, quite honestly," he said, noting that directing TV and directing movies are two very different things.
"We're still talking about the movie," he added optimistically, but as of right now, nothing is set in stone.
24: Live Another Day arrives on Blu-ray
http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/07/24/sdcc-2014-24s-kiefer-sutherland-arrives-at-comic-con