Clock finally runs out for '24'

Following weeks of speculation, '24' showrunner Howard Gordon Friday confirmed that time's really up for Kiefer Sutherland's Jack Bauer -- at least on the small screen. The final two-hour episode will air May 24.

Gordon said that the producers just weren't up for another season. "If they said tomorrow that you have a ninth season, it's not something we'd be up for because we realize Jack's story in the real-time format has been told."

Gordon went on to say, "We entertained creatively what a ninth season would look like, and frankly we came to the conclusion that the story had run its course in the 24-hour, real-time framework,"

But, as has been reported, Jack may be back -- on the big screen. Gordon confirmed that a feature film -- "a more modest framework," he calls it -- is in development and that Sutherland is on board to star.

24 star Mary Lynn Rajskub announced the news via her Twitter page tweeting "Just found out we got the word officially. This is 24's last season."

Jon Cassar, the shows former executive producer, also announced on his twitter page, "News from the 24 set,the crew has been told that 24 has come to an end. There will b no season 9. Its been a great run, thanx all 4 watching."

The shows star, Kiefer Sutherland, commented on the news as well today, saying, "We've done eight years we're very proud of, and we're very excited about going into the film world with this. It's very sad, the only thing tempering this from being all-out heartbreak is the fact that we have this sense of accomplishment. That's the only thing holding people up. Because, for me, and all these people who've been with us since the beginning, it's a very special thing and it's very sad to see it end."

Late today Sutherland released a statement saying, “This has been the role of a lifetime, and I will never be able to fully express my appreciation to everyone who made it possible. While the end of the series is bittersweet, we always wanted 24 to finish on a high note, so the decision to make the eighth season our last was one we all agreed upon. This feels like the culmination of all our efforts from the writers to the actors to our fantastic crew and everyone at Fox. Looking ahead to the future, Howard Gordon and I are excited about the opportunity to create the feature film version of 24. But when all is said and done, it is the loyal worldwide fan base that made it possible for me to have the experience of playing the role of Jack Bauer, and for that I am eternally grateful.”