Summary
- HBO Max's "The Pitt" echoes "24's" real-time format, setting the stage for the 24 Movie adaptation.
- Noah Wyle's character in "The Pitt" shares a similar focus on saving lives as Jack Bauer.
- "The Pitt" has reignited interest in the 24 Movie, emphasizing the need for updates on the project soon.
The 24 Movie was announced back in July 2024, but updates have been hard to come by ever since. The real-time format made the original 24 television series unique, and now HBO Max has launched its own real-time drama called The Pitt, starring Noah Wyle as an Emergency room doctor. The medical drama takes place over the course of one 15-hour shift, with each episode taking place across one hour.
The Pitt has echoes of 24's classic real-time format, and it could be the perfect lead in to the movie adaptation of the hit action series. Kiefer Sutherland hasn't been confirmed to return as Jack Bauer in the big screen adventure yet, and it's still unclear how the real-time format will be reworked to fit into a two-hour movie, but it's promising that shows like The Pitt are paying homage to the format, and it's bound to get people talking about 24 once again.
24 Movie - Kiefer Sutherland's New Action Movie Could Hint At Jack Bauer's Return
Kiefer Sutherland is back in the action genre in upcoming movie, Sierra Madre, and this could be a sign he'll return as Jack Bauer in the 24 Movie.
The Pitt Is A New Real-Time Medical Drama That Feels Very Similar To 24, But Actually Has A Lot In Common With Another Show
|
The Pitt |
|
|---|---|
|
Cast |
Noah Wyle, Tracy Ifeachor, Patrick Ball, Fiona Dourif, Katherine LaNasa, Isa Briones and Gerran Howell |
|
Executive Producers |
R. Scott Gemmill, Noah Wyle, John Wells, Erin Jontow, Simran Baidwan and Michael Hissrich |
|
Created By |
R. Scott Gemmill |
The Pitt sees Noah Wyle playing Dr. Michael "Robby" Rabinavitch, a doctor at the fictional Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Hospital, who embarks on a long 15-hour-long shift. Robby is still suffering from the things he saw during the pandemic, but he has the support of his loyal team around him to get through the stress of a shift in the emergency room. The series debuted on streaming platform Max on January 9, 2025, with each episode airing weekly on the platform. The Pitt's format is eerily similar to Kiefer Sutherland's hit action drama, 24, but its similarity to another classic drama is what has caused some serious controversy.
This isn't the first time Noah Wyle has played a doctor, after appearing in 254 episodes of the long-running NBC medical drama, ER, as Dr John Carter. Before The Pitt was given a 15 episode first season order at Max, the original plan was to reboot ER. However, year-long negotiations between the estate of the deceased original ER creator, Michael Crichton, and the team behind the new show broke down. Crichton's estate sued WBTV, Wells, Wyle and Gemmill, claiming the concept of The Pitt was very similar to ER. The lawsuit claimed there were three key differences: the location, the name of Wyle's character and the exclusion of Crichton's estate in the making of it. The lawsuit stated: (via Deadline)
The Pitt is ER. It’s not like ER, it’s not kind of ER, it’s not sort of ER. It is ER complete with the same executive producer, writer, star, production companies, studio and network as the planned ER reboot.
The Pitt Is The Perfect Show To Remind Fans How Good 24's Real Time Format Was Ahead Of The Big Screen Adaptation
|
24 Movie |
|
|---|---|
|
Potential Cast |
Kiefer Sutherland, Mary Lynn Rasjkub, Carlos Bernard and Elisha Cuthbert |
|
Executive Producer |
Brian Grazer |
|
Created By |
Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran |
Despite the striking similarities with ER, The Pitt is actually way more like 24, with the real time format a key element of what makes the show tick: Pun intended. It is quite surprising that 24 didn't lead to a string of shows set in real time, but nearly 25 years after the Kiefer Sutherland-led show debuted, it finally has a spiritual sequel of sorts. The characters of Jack Bauer and Dr. Michael "Robby" Rabinavitch have one key thing in common: they are both focused on saving lives, albeit in vastly different ways. The Pitt could be exactly what the 24 Movie needs in terms of getting audiences re-engaged in heart-stopping real-time drama.
Disney and 20th Century Studios have been tight-lipped over the progress of the 24 Movie in recent months, and fans need an update soon, or interest in the project may start to dwindle. The release of The Pitt earlier this month has re-ignited interest in the 24 Movie, with comparisons being drawn between them. Mashable hailed The Pitt as 'part ER, part 24' in their review and added:
From exploring issues with modern-day healthcare systems to employing a real-time conceit in the vein of 24, The Pitt establishes itself as its own beast, one that's harrowing, compulsively watchable, and just the right mix of soapy and grounded.
The 24 Movie Needs To Be Personal For Jack Bauer
Jack Bauer will potentially save the world again in the 24 Movie, but his personal sacrifices need to be focused on as well.