'The Vampire Diaries' season 8 rumors, cast news & air date: 'Twilight' star Kristen Stewart to take over the role of Elena Gilbert?

Fans will remember Nina Dobrev as Elena Gilbert in six seasons of "The Vampire Diaries." Her character is reportedly being brought back for the show's eighth season, but instead of Dobrev, the role of Elena could be going to Kristen Stewart aka Bella Swan of the "Twilight" saga.

Reports say that the showrunners are currently in talks with Stewart for the role, but the series creator, Julie Plec, says that Dobrev is still interested in reprising her part as Elena. A lot of fans are confused as to the reason for the recasting of the character, and some speculate that casting Stewart may draw in more people from the audience as she has made a name for herself when it comes to vampire teen dramas.

Another rumor suggests that Ian Somerhalder, who plays one of the lead characters in the show, did not want to work with Dobrev anymore after the two broke up. It's possible that he has used his influence on the show to get the showrunners to recast the role for him. If that rumor is true, the only way that Dobrev could get the role back is if Somerhalder decides to work with her out of professional courtesy.

What's interesting is, it was rumored that Dobrev also coveted the role of Stewart's Bella in "Twilight," and with the news coming out, there seems to be a turning of tables with both the actresses contesting for a role that initially belonged to Dobrev.

A lot of Dobrev's fans are hoping for the return of the original Elena in the series, but the casting of Stewart may lead a lot of newer fans to picking up the show. Will Dobrev get her character back, or will she lose it to Stewart?

"The Vampire Diaries" season 8 will premiere on Friday, Oct. 21, at 8 p.m. EDT on The CW.