Report: 24 Movie Dead --- Is It Because of Timing or Salary?

Jack Bauer has saved the world several times over by now. Why can't he save his own movie?

20th Century Fox has pulled the plug on the 24 movie because of budget and salary issues, The Wrap reports.

Brian Grazer: 24 film due for 2012 release

The film was set to begin shooting next month after production wraps on the first season of star Kiefer Sutherland's new series, Touch. However, Sutherland, along with producer Brian Grazer, disagreed with Fox on a budget for the film. Fox was hoping to make the film for $30 million, while Sutherland and Grazer thought the movie version of the long-running action series could not be produced for less than somewhere around $40 million, according to the site. Sutherland was also reportedly upset about being offered $1 million to star in and produce the film; he wanted $5 million.

A spokesman for Fox confirmed that the movie is "on hold," but cited scheduling — not money — issues. "We're still working on a script, and hope to make [it] when Kiefer next has time," a spokesman told the site. "But this all came down to timing, and seven weeks is not enough time to prep a movie like this."

Is the 24 movie back on?

A meeting between the movie studio and producers was said to be taking place Wednesday afternoon to try to resolve the issues, according to The Wrap.

Should the two sides not reach an agreement, the 24 movie could be shelved until at least next spring because of Sutherland's commitment to Touch. Fox has not renewed Touch for a second season yet, but the series' debuted to big numbers back in January.

24 movie in jeopardy after Fox passes on script

This is just the latest bump in 24's journey to the big screen. Producers have been vocal about the project since 24 went off the air in May 2010. However, Fox axed the first script in late 2010, penned by State of Play scribe Billy Ray. Grazer tweeted in April 2011 that production was back on track for a 2012 release.

While promoting Touch at the Television Critics Association's winter previews in January, Sutherland sounded optimistic about the film. He said that shooting would begin in either April or May and revealed that the movie would take place "maybe six months" after the TV series finale.

Are you sad the 24 movie may not make it to the big screen?