Sutherland plays David Breckinridge, a top investigative agent of the President's Secret Service in "THE SENTINEL." Hotheaded and by-the-book agent, Breckinridge now investigates best friend and well-admired agent Pete Garrison (played by Michael Douglas) for treason.
When casting Breckinridge, Sentinel actor/producer Michael Douglas immediately tapped Sutherland whom he has worked with 'Flatliners' which catapulted Sutherland into the ranks of exciting new film stars. "That was when I first met Kiefer and saw how talented he was. In THE SENTINEL, he brings tremendous credibility to his role," says Douglas.
Sutherland responds with equal enthusiasm about Douglas. "If you look at Michael's films, they're Class A. I had the pleasure of working with him when I was very young, and he was so gracious and kind to me. I watched his films over the years and learned what makes him a phenomenal producer. There's a sense of responsibility and dignity in all his films. I've watched his table-read, his notes, how he handles himself on set. It's been an education and a pleasure, and I'm grateful for that."
As the lead investigator in the film, Sutherland's David Breckinridge sometimes lets his personal feelings interfere. "He has a past," acknowledges Sutherland, "and our past often trips us up. Those elements start to break down what could be a perfect investigator.
"We as a society have an appreciation of any specialist in any field, where education and training have been taken to a certain level," Sutherland continues. "I'll never forget the Secret Service agent who moved to the left of President Reagan, closed his eyes and waited. He stayed in that position to take those hits. We have to have an incredible amount of respect for Secret Service agents."
Sutherland currently stars as Jack Bauer in the fifth critically acclaimed season of the Fox hit "24," for which he has won a Golden Globe® Award, a SAG Award™, two Emmy® nominations and a Golden Globe nomination. The show, which also won a Golden Globe Award for Best Drama, received its highest ratings to date for its fourth season.
Some of his memorable earlier film performances include those in "Taking Lives" (2004), "Phone Booth" (2002), "Eye for an Eye" (1996), "A Time to Kill", "Stand by Me" and "At Close Range" (1986), "The Lost Boys" and "Promised Land" (1987), "1969," "Bright Lights, Big City" and "Young Guns" (1988), "Renegades" (1989), "Chicago Joe and the Showgirl," "Flashback" and "Young Guns 2" (1990), "Article 99" (1992), and "The Three Musketeers" (1993).
"THE SENTINEL" opens April 26 in theaters from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.