Twentieth Century Fox's film and TV studios are teaming to develop a bigscreen version of the Kiefer Sutherland-starring action drama series 24.

According to Variety, the film side has hired scribe Billy Ray (State of Play) to pen the script for the feature version. Ray's pitch, which takes Jack Bauer to Europe, was a hit with Fox execs and producers of the high-concept television series.

The script is said to have come through 24 star Kiefer Sutherland, who's also an exec producer on the series -- and is said to be eager to turn the long-running TV skein into a feature franchise.

Fox doesn't have a deal for a ninth season of 24, and hasn't yet decided whether to order another season. Insiders said the network is waiting to see this week's ratings before making a decision, but the betting is that this will be the final season.

No production date was announced.