Sutherland tests '24' fans with new TV movie

Producers of Kiefer Sutherland's hit drama '24' are urging fans to tune into their forthcoming made-for-TV movie when it finally airs, because a big screen outing for the action franchise will all depend on its ratings.

Sutherland returns to his role as federal agent Jack Bauer in '24: Redemption', a prequel to the upcoming seventh season of the show which returns to US TV in January.

And executive producer Howard Gordon is praying audiences stay in to watch the TV film.

He tells the New York Post: "I would look at (the TV movie) as a dry run for a theatrical release.

"Depending on how well the DVD sells, and how high the ratings are, I think that would be an indicator to the feature film department about what the business prospects for a potential film might be.

"We really did this on a television budget (and) it looks spectacular."

The TV movie is scheduled to air on Sunday in the US.