MIPCOM NEWS: A movie version of US network Fox's action drama 24 could go into production next spring, after a screenplay for the long-awaited feature was delivered, its star Kiefer Sutherland has revealed.

Speaking at the launch of his new network drama Touch, written by Heroes creator Tim Kring, Sutherland said the process of turning the show's 24x60' format - which plays out in real time over 24 hours each season - into a two-hour film had been more challenging than expected.

He told the audience: "We're very close (to a movie). We've worked very long and hard the last two years on a screenplay. It was actually much more difficult to take this idea that was in 24, which had 24 hours and 24 episodes to tell a story, and condense that into two hours. We thought it would be easier but it was much more difficult.

"Now a wonderful writer named Billy Ray has finished the screenplay. Hopefully we're looking at the end of April to start production, and we'll see."

24 ran for eight seasons on Fox between 2001 and 2010. The movie is being developed by 20th Century Fox.