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According to super-producer Brian Grazer’s Twitter account, the long-in-development 24 movie has been confirmed for a 2012 release date. It’s time for the generation’s Chuck Norris to reign again.

“Got off the phone with Kiefer yesterday, and we are very exciteded about producing the ’24′ movie for next year,” said Grazer on his Twitter last Tuesday.

Grazer and his buddy Ron Howard produced the 24 TV series from 2001-2010 on Fox under their Imagine Entertainment company.

Last month, Sutherland reported to both Entertainment Weekly and the lovely ladies on The View that the film is “the little engine that could” and it will come out in 2012. But, with Grazer on board it has become official.

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While most of the eastern half of North America is buried under a foot of snow, Howard Gordon, writer and producer of hugely popular franchises such as “The X-Files” and “24″, has been ditching the snowpocolyspe and spending time at his home in sunny Los Angeles. However, don’t be fooled, Gordon has not been out soaking up the sun. He has been hard at work on his new (and first) novel, Gideon’s War, and his position as executive producer of the upcoming Showtime political drama, “Homeland.”

“It was like a scene from ’24.’ I was racing the clock and running around Casablanca trying to find a fed-ex store to meet my editors deadline,” Gordon tells andPOP, when asked how he had the time to finish his charged political thriller, Gideon’s War. Though he began drafting the novel during the writers strike in 2007, he finished it once “24″ was over while he was traveling with his son in Egypt and Morocco. “I was finishing it in hotel rooms and airplanes.” Hardly a desirable situation, though the writer/producer says that he does his best writing on airplanes.

The book is about Gideon Davis, an American peacemaker, who is called upon by his father figure to get his brother, Tillman Davis, out of trouble. Tillman has become a rogue agent in Southeast Asia who is responsible for many deaths and has highjacked a billion dollar oil rig. Tillman however has agreed to be escorted to Washington D.C., and will turn himself in, but only if his brother is on the job.

Like elements of ”24″, the book explores the relationship between two brothers. This appears to be a common thread in Gordon’s work. “There is something I love about the relationship between brothers. I am one of 3 brothers myself.” Gordon says that it was interesting to set up a character dynamic in which one brother is a complete pacifist and the other a complete terrorist. Gordon says any parallels between Gideon and the beloved Jack Bauer were unintentional. “Jack and Gideon are not cut from the same club. Gideon is a more wounded character who doesn’t have a family like Bauer. He keeps people at arm’s length.” However, each character is heavily involved with foreign policy. Gordon says he doesn’t know where his interest in foreign policy began. He went to Princeton and was interested in the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. “I think my interest comes from a patriotic place. There is a tremendous idea behind America. You could call it American exceptionalism or pluralism. Even though not everything is right, every citizen has a civic duty to their country.”

Gordon has worked in Hollywood for many years as a producer and a screenwriter. Often times screenwriters try to make the jump between writing for film and television and penning a novel only to see their efforts turn out poorly. Gordon is definitely an exception to this. His novel is both gripping and well crafted. Gordon says that screenwriting for many years aided him in the process of writing a novel. “You can’t help but have one influence the other. There is an inevitable relationship between the two. Writing a book is certainly more of a novel experience because it is something new for me. There is a more collaborative effort between the reader and author. It is a different way to communicate and tell a story.” Rather than starting the book by knowing the entire story and ending Gordon began writing with the relationship between the brothers in mind.

Gordon is now working on the follow-up novel which he says will still have a strong family element and will be more densely plotted. Right now he is focusing his efforts on his new television series for Showtime, “Homeland,” which stars Claire Danes. Due to its Showtime run, the show will “take more time to tell a story rather than building towards a commercial break. The quality of the show is more like an independent film. It will have deeper involved stories and characters.”

As for the “24″ movie that we’ve all been anxiously awaiting, Gordon says, “it is still in conversation. It is not dead or alive.”

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Jack Bauer, or Kiefer Sutherland (whatever you prefer), is a man who likes to party and have a good time. And with “24″ over, Bauer is going to have a lot more free time on his hands to have a good time.

PerezHilton reports that Sutherland was at a New York City bar getting so drunk, he started taking off his shirt.

A source says “Kiefer got so drunk, he took off his shirt and tried to take the pictures off the wall at the bar. He eventually calmed down and was not asked to leave the hotel.”

Granted it may have not been the most respectful thing to do, but with all that “24″ money, let the man have a good time!

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You wouldn’t think Jack Bauer would hang out at strip clubs. However Kiefer Sutherland is a fan of the topless ladies and likes to let loose once in a while.

Unfortunately a little too loose it turns out. The “24″ star was thrown out of a strip club last night in London, reports TMZ. According to the website, Sutherland was acting crazy – dancing and shouting, at the Stringfellows “lapdance club.”

After getting into an altercation with someone at the club, bouncers threw a shirtless Sutherland out of the club.

On its website, Stringfellows says security wasn’t grabbing Kiefer — merely “helping him into his car.”

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Although there have been rumors and debate about the future of Fox’s hit series “24,” the official word came down today that the series will be coming to an end.

EW.com reports that Kiefer Sutherland said that “24″ will not be moving to NBC, despite earlier talks. Sutherland and executive producer Howard Gordon decided it was time to end the TV run.

“The writers are producing the equivalent of 12 films a year, which is unheard of, and Howard felt to do a ninth would be potentially damaging,” said Sutherland. “We both felt strongly that there has been a demand and an interest in a 24 film, which would be a two-hour representation of a 24-hour day, so we felt it was time to move in that direction.”

Sutherland promises that the finale for the “24″ will queue up the movie that is currently in the works. “We wanted to create a definitive end for Jack Bauer,” explains Sutherland. “Since we do have the intention to make the feature film, it would lead into that and certainly set that up.”

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“24″ is a extremely expensive show to produce, as you can probably tell with the weekly massive explosions, car chases, etc. Entertainment Weekly is reporting that although Fox is at its end with “24″, the show may have a glimpse of hope with NBC.

Apparently the producers of “24″, 20th Century Fox, have approached NBC about picking up the series. And although ratings are stagnant and the show costs a fortune to produce, NBC is apparently seriously considering the offer.

NBC needs a hit and “24″ already has an established audience to bring with to NBC. With the major headaches recently facing NBC (Conan O’Brien, Jay Leno) this could provide the network a much needed adrenaline shot.

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Kiefer Sutherland suffered a health scare that postponed production of his hit series “24″. E! Online is reporting that “Jack Bauer” had a ruptured cyst earlier in the week that resulted in emergency surgery.

“While Kiefer Sutherland is frustrated to miss even one day of work, he and Fox decided together that it would be best to complete this minor elective procedure now as a precaution as opposed to six weeks from now when production wraps,” his representatives tells the LA Times.

Fox had a further statement saying “We are temporarily suspending production of 24 while our friend and colleague Kiefer Sutherland undergoes a medical procedure. We hope to resume production shortly and do not anticipate any disruption in the broadcast of this season’s episodes.”

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Kiefer Sutherland, who plays Jack Bauer on Fox drama 24, made an appearance at Comic-Con in San Diego Friday, reports TMZ. He discussed the future of the show, which takes place in real time.

“I don’t know with regards to ‘the last season’ or anything, I really don’t,” Sutherland told reports after the 24 panel Friday. It is the last season that I’ve been contracted to do 24, but I really don’t know. We’re so focused on making season eight. But obviously the requirements would be that the writers felt that they could really bang it out. If Howard [Gordon] came to me and said, ‘The way I saw those last scenes play, I have an idea for season nine that would be unbelievable,” I would have to listen to him for that. I think we’re all very aware of wanting to protect what we believe is a very strong and important legacy that is 24. All of those things. Again, the choices to do or not to do it have nothing  to do with my contract, have everything to do with whether or not an audience still wants to watch it and cares and whether or not we feel we have something to offer.”

Off-set, the New York City District Attorney just rejected filing charges in an incident in which Sutherland allegedly head-butted fashion designer Jack McCollough. The Los Angeles City Attorney added he will not try to violate Sutherland’s probation for a prior driving under the influence conviction.

Season eight of 24 premieres January 17, 2010.

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Kiefer Sutherland’s Jack Bauer is getting a new ally (or foe – it’s hard to tell with the show) in the form of Freddie Prinze Jr.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Prinze has been cast in the upcoming eighth season of the real-time drama as a regular, playing a recently returned Marine named Davis Cole.

Cole now heads the field ops unit of the revived CTU in New York – and he’s also a big fan of Bauer’s, aspiring to follow in the footsteps of the butt-kicking counterterrorism agent.

Prinze is just the latest “24″ cast addition, joining fellow regulars Anil Kapoor (“Slumdog Millionaire”), Chris Diamantopoulos (“The Starter Wife”) and John Boyd (“Law & Order”). As previously reported, Kapoor will play a Middle Eastern leader, while Diamantopoulos will play the president’s chief-of-staff and Boyd will play a CTU analyst.

Recurring cast members so far include Jennifer Westfeldt (“Grey’s Anatomy”) as a journalist and Nazneen Contractor (“The Border”) as Kapoor’s daughter.

The show, which aired its season seven finale earlier this month, has started production on the new season, though fans will have to wait until January for the premiere.

Prinze rose to fame with roles in such movies as “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” “She’s All That” and the “Scooby-Doo” films. He also starred in the ABC sitcom “Freddie” from 2005 to 2006.

Most recently, he voiced the title character in the 2008 animated movie “Delgo” and joined the WWE’s creative team in a behind-the-scenes role.

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Get ready to get addicted again with another heart-pounding, nail-biting thrill ride when “24” Season Seven arrives for the first time ever on high-definition Blu-ray Disc and DVD May 19 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. The countdown starts over as Jack Bauer (Emmy® Award winner Kiefer Sutherland) is thrust back into action in a new city, with a new role and a new enemy to bring down. Set in Washington, D.C., Jack is under investigation for his “high crimes” during his time at CTU as a mysterious new threat is attempting to take the government down. As the race against the clock escalates, Jack is forced to take matters into his own hands, working with old friends and new allies to once again protect the country. Featuring stunning performances by returning from dead cast member Carlos Bernard (“Tony Almeida”), Mary Lynn Rajskub (“Chloe O’Brian”), James Morrison (“Bill Buchanan”), Carlo Rota (“Morris O’Brian”) and Elisha Cuthbert (“Kim Bauer”), new faces emerge including comedian-actress Janeane Garofalo (The Truth About Cats & Dogs, Ratatouille) and two-time Tony Award-winner Cherry Jones, as the first female President of the United States.

24 Season 7 is now available on DVD and Blue-ray!

andPOP is giving away 2 copies of the DVD.To enter, email contests@andpop.com with your complete mailing address by June 16.

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Bollywood star Anil Kapoor is making the leap to North American television.

The actor, who gained worldwide recognition as the game show host in last year’s Oscar-winning film “Slumdog Millionaire,” has joined the cast of Fox’s “24″ for its upcoming eighth season.

As a series regular, Kapoor will play a Middle Eastern leader who comes to the U.S. on a peacemaking mission. The role is the actor’s first American TV gig.

Season 7 of ’24,’ which stars Kiefer Sutherland as counterterrorism agent Jack Bauer, concludes on May 8 with a two-hour finale. Season 8 will premiere in early 2010.

“Slumdog Millionare” was the big winner at this year’s Academy Awards, scoring eight wins including best picture and best director. Although Kapoor earned North American recognition for his role, he is already a well-known figure in his native India, where he has appeared in more than 100 films over 25 years.

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Get ready for another Very Bad Day, Jack Bauer.

The hit counterterrorism drama “24″ and its beleaguered agent are returning for an eighth season, star and executive producer Kiefer Sutherland told the Associated Press Tuesday.

The Fox action series will begin shooting its new season in May, around the same time its current seventh season ends.

“If I was going to liken ’24′ to a girlfriend, ’24′ has been really good to me. And I need to be really good back,” Sutherland said.

“There are plays I want to do. There are so many different things I would like to do, but I was so fortunate to be part of something like ’24′ that my focus is still on that right now.”

He added that whether or not the show continues beyond the eighth season won’t be up to him. “The real pressure is placed on the writers. It’s a real question about how much they feel they can give and what they can do.”

Sutherland recently tackled some lighter fare by lending his voice to the 3-D animated movie “Monsters vs. Aliens.” The sci-fi adventure, which features Sutherland as General W.R. Monger and also stars the voices of Reese Witherspoon, Seth Rogen and Hugh Laurie, hits theatres Friday.

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Elisha Cuthbert has signed on to reprise her role as Jack Bauer’s daughter on the new season of 24.

According to TV Guide’s Ask Ausiello, Cuthbert’s character Kim will have a child. However, Kim’s ex-boyfriend, played by C. Thomas Howell, will not return.

Cuthbert will next be seen on the big screen in “The Six Wives of Henry Lefay,” where she will play a grieving daughter who must deal with her deceased father’s ex-wives.

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Kiefer Sutherland might wed girlfriend Siobhan Bonnouvrier, reports Perez Hilton.

If the rumours are true, this marriage will not be the first for the “24” star, but the third nuptials for the actor.

Sutherland was first married to Camelia Kath in 1987, with whom he has a daughter. The couple divorced three years later. In 1996, Sutherland married Kelly Winn but the pair separated in 1999 and filed for divorce in 2004.

According to Perez, a friend of Sutherland says: “Now that Kiefer is finally divorced, everyone is hoping he will marry Siobhan. Kiefer is a changed man and Siobhan is just the right woman for him. She is an amazing woman and has transformed Kiefer in just a few short weeks.”

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He was just granted a divorce last month, but could Kiefer Sutherland already be ready to tie the knot again?

According to CelebEdge, Sutherland is very close to making that commitment to his new girlfriend, Siobhan Bonnouvrier.

“Now that Kiefer is finally divorced, everyone is hoping he will marry Siobhan,” a friend of Sutherland’s gushed. “Kiefer is a changed man and Siobhan is just the right woman for him. She is an amazing woman and has transformed Kiefer in just a few short weeks.”

Even though Sutherland recently spent some time in jail, the source claimed that Bonnouvrier “isn’t the least bit bothered by his fame or wild past and the relationship has blossomed. They are both looking for long-term commitment so they are on the same page in terms of relationship goals.

“Everyone is hoping Kiefer finally settles down and find happiness with her. You can tell just by looking at them they are madly in love.”

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Who knew that Kiefer Sutherland has been married this whole time?

The Canadian and his former model ex, Elizabeth Kelly Winn, filed for divorce almost four years ago. The couple separated five years before that.

The divorce was made official on May 16, according to E!Online. Irreconcilable differences was listed as the reason for the split.

This makes two for Sutherland, who was previously married to actress Camelia Kath. He is currently dating a woman named Tricia Cardozo, and has also dated “24″ co-star Reiko Aylesworth.

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Kiefer Sutherland surrendered to the law yesterday and began his jail sentence of 48 days.

Sutherland is now an inmate of the Glendale City Jail. He surrendered at 5:30 p.m. and was booked 16 minutes later. According to TMZ, his booking records list him as “5’10″, 150 lbs, blue eyes, blond hair, 40 years old.”

Because “24″ has been cancelled for the season due to the WGA strike, Sutherland was able to start his DUI sentence early. He was originally slated to surrender on December 21, his 41st birthday.

Sutherland will have his own jail cell, but only because he is a long-term inmate, not because of his celebrity status. However, he will have to wear the traditional orange jumpsuit.

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Kiefer Sutherland pleaded guilty on Tuesday after he was arrested for driving under the influence.

As part of his plea deal, Sutherland will serve 30 days for this DUI, his fourth, and 18 days for violating probation on his 2004 DUI arrest.

“I’m very disappointed in myself for the poor judgment I exhibited recently,” Sutherland said in a statement, “and I’m deeply sorry for the disappointment and distress this has caused my family, friends and co-workers at ’24′ and at 20th Century Fox.”

Sutherland will start his service on December 21, while the show is on hiatus. He was also ordered to enroll in an 18-month alcohol education program and attend weekly alcohol therapy classes for six months.

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Jack Bauer may be going to jail.

TMZ.com is reporting that Kiefer Sutherland was arrested in West Hollywood last night after attending the Fox Fall Eco-Casino party at Area nightclub. He was pulled over for making an illegal U-turn. Sutherland, 40, allegedly blew more than twice the legal limit of 0.08 blood alcohol level.

Sutherland was also arrested for DUI in 2004. If he is convicted this time, by California law he will serve at least five days in jail.

According to sources, Sutherland was “cooperative and mellow” throughout the process. He was booked at 4:09 a.m. and released at 5:42 a.m. on $25,000 bail.

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24 fans rejoice! Not only will Jack Bauer (Canadian Kiefer Sutherland) officially be returning to television on January 13, but Tony Almeida will be by his side once again.

Though Tony (Carlos Bernard) presumably died due to injuries from the terrorist car bombing that killed his wife, Michelle, the writers did leave a small hint at his survival.

A customary tribute to deceased characters is for the famous digital clock to tick silently after the last appearance of the departed. Tony did not receive such a farewell, despite being one of the show’s most beloved and trusted characters.

Tony’s resurrection isn’t the only surprise in store for our hero Jack. Season 7 will find CTU disbanded, and all the edge-of-your-seat action moved from Los Angeles to Washington.

Fan faves Chloe O’Brian and Bill Buchanon (Mary Lynn Rajskub and James Morrison) are the only other known returning cast members. Newcomers this season include Cherry Jones, Janeane Garofalo, Colm Feore, Annie Wersching, Jeffrey Nordling, John Billingsley and Rhys Coiro.

Be sure to tune into the 4-hour season premiere event in January, on Sunday 13 and Monday 14.

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