Speculation is rife that this year could be the final season for Fox's real-time series, "24." However, the season is still in production and executive producer Howard Gordon insists that all bets are off.

Not only has the series not wrapped on filming, but the final episode hasn't even been written yet which means that anything could happen when it comes to the future of Jack Bauer.

"We haven't written it," Howard Gordon said. "But the way I look at it is that every single season, in my opinion, could've been a series-ender. I want to tell this year's story and end it properly. Honestly, as long as Jack's not dead, anything is possible."

Previously reports have indicated that Kiefer Sutherland, who has become something of a small screen action-legend thanks to the series, is not contracted to the show beyond an eighth season which leaves him free to pursue other possibilities. Will he do it? Well, according to Sutherland, he is personally committed to "24."

"This has been one of the greatest gifts of my life, the ability to do '24'," he said. "For me, yeah, it's something that absolutely is open. I've always said that as long as people want us to make it ... I would be interested."

However, if this turns out to be the final season of the show don't fret over ideas that Jack won't survive the ordeal. According to Gordon, he will ... but it won't be pretty.

"I have always flirted with the idea that seeing Jack's last hours would be very dramatic," Gorden explained. "But it's not something the audience, or frankly I, would be able to tolerate. I'm not saying it's a happy ending, but I think Jack lives. How he lives is the real question."

"24" airs Sundays at 9 p.m. on Fox.