Nina Dobrev’s Return To ‘The Vampire Diaries’ Still Being Worked Out — Julie Plec Has Backup Plan In Case Promise Isn’t Fulfilled

The Vampire Diaries focused on Nina Dobrev’s character, Elena Gilbert, and two vampire brothers, Damon (Ian Somerhalder) and Stefan Salvatore (Paul Wesley). Since Elena fell into a 60-year sleep, TVD just hasn’t been the same. It is still a great series, but there is just something missing. That something is Nina, of course. With conflicting reports on if Dobrev is returning, what is the truth? The president of The CW network gave an update on Dobrev returning to the show, and also said executive producer Julie Plec has a backup plan.

As previously reported by the Inquisitr, Julie Plec confirmed at Comic-Con 2016 that Nina’s return to The Vampire Diaries is not set in stone. A new report from TV Line further confirms this, but it looks like a deal is in the works.

“There are discussions going on with Nina,” Mark Pedowitz, president of The CW, said at the Television Critics Association summer press tour. “We’d love to have Nina back. She was great for The CW. She was integral for The Vampire Diaries.”

What if a deal with Dobrev can’t be reached? What happens then? Pedowitz assured the media (and fans) that executive producer Julie Plec has a backup plan, just in case.

During Comic-Con 2016, Julie Plec and the cast of TVD sat down for a video interview with TV Line, which can be viewed below. During the discussion, the executive producer said an “emotional promise” was made that Nina would return to The Vampire Diaries. It was stated that the actress vowed to come back before the final season was over. With the news that Season 8 is the last for the supernatural series, fans are counting on a “Delena” reunion.

As fans recall, the last time Dobrev was seen on the show was a few years ago. While attending Alaric (Matt Davis) and Jo’s (Jodi Lyn O’Keefe) wedding, the bride, pregnant with twins, was killed by Kai (Chris Wood). Elena Gilbert ended up in the crossfire and now is in a 60-year slumber. If Elena wakes up, Bonnie Bennett (Kat Graham) dies, and vice versa. There doesn’t seem to be a way around it, and Delena shippers were devastated.

If Nina returns to The Vampire Diaries in Season 8, fans are hoping that Damon and Elena will have one heck of a reunion. It isn’t known how the writers plan to wake her, but it will be sad if it involves Bonnie’s death. So far, theories include Damon killing Bonnie, Elena waking up after Bonnie’s death and saving Damon, and a personal favorite, a flash-forward of 60 years. If the last one happens, then that means Bonnie will get to live a full life and Delena will get to be reunited. It seems like the best of both worlds, but as fans know, The Vampire Diaries isn’t about happy endings.

Speaking of happy endings, Ian Somerhalder recently gave his idea of how The Vampire Diaries should conclude. Surprisingly, he doesn’t think Damon and Elena should be reunited. According to Showbiz Junkies, the TVD actor believes Elena should be able to live her life never knowing Damon, Stefan, or vampires existed. As for the Salvatore brothers, Somerhalder thinks they should sit on a Caribbean beach, drink Barbados rum, throw their rings in the sea, and cease to exist.

As for Julie Plec’s backup plan in case Nina can’t return to The Vampire Diaries, that wasn’t revealed. Possibilities include her never waking up or being permanently killed off. It wouldn’t be fair to viewers to have no resolution and just leave Elena in a 60-year sleep without some ending. However, this supernatural TV show has never been fair. The executive producer promises that fans will be satisfied with the backup plan, but Delena shippers are not so sure.

What do you think Julie Plec’s backup plan for The Vampire Diaries Season 8 is if Nina Dobrev doesn’t return? Will the actress fulfill her promise and come back before the season finale? If you were writing the show, how would you end TVD?

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