"24" movie not going forward as Sutherland said

Cast member of ''24'' Kiefer Sutherland greets fans and the media during a promotional event in Tokyo November 16, 2010.

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - The clock may not be ticking again on "24" after all.

Comments by actor Kiefer Sutherland on Friday to the TV show "Extra" that a movie based on the TV series "24" is going to start shooting in eight months were shot down by a publicist for 20th Century Fox, the studio which would finance and distribute any movie, if it is ever made.

"Unfortunately, Kiefer is overly optimistic," the Fox publicist replied to a query from THR. "The project is still in development, with no director attached. All the other details have been reported."

What has been reported is that a script was written last year but then was rejected by the studio, which put the whole thing on the shelf.

In his comments to Extra, Sutherland said it was difficult to find a "story that is unique" and would "service the history of the show."

Apparently, it remains difficult and the "24" clock is still frozen - at least for the time being.

In the meantime, Sutherland is set to star in the Broadway revival of "That Championship Season," which follows four former high school basketball champs each going through a mid-life crisis. He shares the stage with Chris Noth.

Sutherland also will star in a new web series, "The Confession," premiering on Hulu in March.

(Editing by Zorianna Kit)