Fox '24' series stalls again

By Stone Martindale Aug 17, 2007, 1:31 GMT

07/23/2007 - Kiefer Sutherland - FOX TCA All Star Party at the Pier - Santa Monica Pier, Pacific Park - Santa Monica, CA © Chris Hatcher / PR Photos

The series "24" has stalled out in pre-production once again.

For the second time, the production of 24 is held up while writers scramble to finish the story arcs for the seventh season.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Jack Bauer will commence his counter-terrorism duties two weeks later than initially planned, with the shooting start date pushed back from Aug. 27 to Sept. 10.

The writing staff sought the postponement to get the scipts up to snuff and finished.

Kiefer Sutherland's series last season received many critical reviews, and the primetime Emmy voters failed to honor the usually nominated show with a nod for Best Drama Series.

Sutherland did earn a Best Actor in a Drama nomination.

Fox executives had killed the Africa-set story line due over costs, forcing producers back to the drawing board for a new plot.

Producers have confirmed t the trades that they are looking to base the action in a city other than Los Angeles.

Sutherland's Bauer and Mary Lynn Rajskub's sidekick Chloe are the only confirmed returning stars according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Last month, Fox announced that Tony winner Cherry Jones would play the series' inaugural female commander in chief, starring as President Allison Taylor.