'Rick and Morty' season 3 release date news 2016: Show could be out before yearend as various secret plots speculated for upcoming season

A potentially earlier premiere date and a secret plot might be in store for fans of Adult Swim's "Rick and Morty." At least, that's what recent reports about the show seem to indicate.

The second season of "Rick and Morty" ended in October 2015, and after speculations pointed to March 2017 as being the possible premiere month of the third season, fans couldn't help but express their disappointment. Nevertheless, the creators of the show, Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland, hinted that they were targeting the end of the year for "Rick and Morty" season 3.

If the timeline between each season, starting from the first season, is to be followed, then the creators might have just given the real deal as far as season 3's premiere date goes. The first season of the show was released in December 2013 and 10 months after its finale, the second season started in July 2015.

Counting 10 months from the end of season 2 would point to September 2016 as possible premiere month for season 3. Still, a confirmation is yet to be made by Adult Swim, and while fans are waiting on official word, they seem to be busying themselves with fan-made theories concerning the third season's arc.

Geek said that as alluded to in the first season, a secret plot would be revealed in season 3, one being Rick's knowledge that he is merely a fictional character. Another theory is that, based on the series' theme, Rick is actually the older version of Morty.

A final theory, which fans hope might be addressed in season 3, is that the real Morty is already dead. Apparently, he died due to an accident while Rick was inventing the interdimensional remote control, prompting Rick to use the remote to find a dimension where Morty is alive so he could bring him back to the present.

Whether there really is a secret plot is something fans would find out when "Rick and Morty" season 3 returns. For now, fans should hold on to Harmon and Roiland's assurance that they have a great season ahead for their loyal viewers.

"We're deep into the season and I always like to underpromise and overdeliver but I do really feel like, the episodes we've got in the hopper are some of the best we've ever done, I think."