Can Fox really make 24 without Jack Bauer as the main character? We may soon find out.

Fox is reportedly developing a 24 spinoff that would revolve around “a new twentysomething male terrorist hunter,” who is working alongside “an older, more seasoned female agent.” But despite the perfect setup from 24: Live Another Day, the female agent wouldn’t be Yvonne Strahovski’s Kate Morgan. Although, it has been suggested that Kate may appear in the proposed spinoff in some capacity.

As for Kiefer Sutherland’s iconic character, the early word is that Jack Bauer would “weave in and out as a guest star.” That would be hard, considering that Jack was last seen in Russian custody at the end of Live Another Day. Sutherland has also voiced his reluctance about returning again after giving Jack a seemingly definitive sendoff.

Sutherland portrayed Jack Bauer in eight seasons of 24, plus the TV movie 24: Redemption, and the Live Another Day miniseries. To many 24 fans, Jack Bauer IS the show, and it’s going to be an uphill battle getting the audience to accept someone else in Jack’s shoes.

There is also a lingering plotline from the 24: Live Another Day DVD and Blu-ray, which reintroduced Carlos Bernard’s Tony Almeida and implied that he may have a role in the story if the franchise continues.

The proposed 24 spinoff is being overseen by executive producers Howard Gordon, Manny Coto, and Evan Katz. If it goes forward, the 24 spinoff would launch as a miniseries with an option to once again become “a long-term property for Fox.”

What do you think, Nerdists? Is there life for 24 without Jack in the lead? Let us know in the comment section below!

HT: TVLine