[WARNING: This post contains minor SPOILERS for Supernatural season 10.]

At San-Diego Comic-Con 2014 we found out, amidst rumors that Supernatural might finally take a bow at the end of season 10, the series could continue for beyond the forthcoming season. What exactly the showrunners have in mind remains a mystery - especially after the shocking events of the season 9 finale. Closing out the 2013-2014 season with the reveal that Dean had been transformed into a demon - following his time wielding the First Blade - it's unclear whether the Winchester's relationship will ever be the same.

Many even speculated that "Demon Dean" was the beginning of the end for Jensen Ackles' run on the show - paving the way for a Sam and Castiel buddy-hunter show that was explored last season. However, with the news that the CW and the Supernatural showrunners want to keep the series going, in its current form, we have to wonder, will Sam be able to turn Dean back into a human and, if so, how? A new Supernatural rumor could provide an answer to those questions - and a "get out of Hell free" card for Dean.

For some time, we've heard that Supernatural season 10 would feature the return of a previously established character - a return that the show runners have attempted to keep under wraps in the hope of preserving story details and surprises for viewers.

Yet, in an interview with Zap 2 It, series lead Jared Padalecki may have let the cat out of the bag:

The [200th] episode will be very meta. It's a pure shout-out and thank you to the fans. I haven't had the chance to read it yet but I've heard it's almost similar to our "The Real Ghostbusters" episode. We're not at a convention but we're at a place where they're doing a play based on the Chuck Shurley books. So not only are these books based on our lives, now people are doing a play based on these books, and someone is haunting it, so we go and try to investigate what's going on at this play, based on the books about our lives.

While the actor does not confirm an actual appearance by former prophet Chuck Shurley (played by Rob Benedict), the character's disappearance remains one of the series' biggest questions marks -  and it's very likely that the showrunners will use the 200th episode as a way to either continue or close-off the character's arc. After all, Chuck is never confirmed to have died (or ascended) - Castiel only suggests that the character is likely dead, paving the way for Kevin Tran to take-over prophet duties.

Can't remember the last time you saw Chuck? Check out the clip below for his final on-screen appearance:

One possible angle could see Chuck (in ghost form) haunting the play, giving Sam and Dean (as well as fans) an opportunity to learn the circumstances of the ex-prophets death following his "disappearance" at the end of season 5. In this case, Chuck's reappearance would be a fun farewell - but probably wouldn't have too many longterm implications for season 10 or the larger show. On the other hand, the showrunners could use the episode as an opportunity to bring Chuck back into the storyline - and explain where the character has been since he disappeared (from Earth and the show). If so, Chuck might have the power to help Dean - or at the very least point the brothers in the right direction.

During his time on the series, it was heavily implied that Chuck wasn't just a conduit for future events, he might actually have been shaping certain aspects of reality - leading some to believe that he actually possessed the power of God. Chuck even teased about the possibility in his first episode, stating: "There's only one explanation. Obviously I'm a god. I'm definitely a god. A cruel, cruel, capricious god. The things I put you through - the physical beatings alone." The idea was developed further in the season 9 episode "Meta Fiction" which saw Metatron, in his attempt to take on the role of God, reshaping reality via a typewritten story.

Supernatural Metatron Typewriter God

The question "Who/Where is God?" has been at the heart of Supernatural from the very beginning but has yet to provide a concrete answer. It's unlikely that the series' showrunners will come out and declare that Chuck is now, or has always been, the one God but there's no doubt that most fans would be eager to see the character back again - especially in a featured role. With Metatron defeated, and Heaven once again in need of a leader, what better time to bring back the prophet/writer/potential God than season 10?

Of course, the actual rumor doesn't even confirm that Chuck, himself, will return - and the 200th episode could simply revolve around a stage adaptation of his books. For now, we'll just have to wait until Season 10 debuts later this fall - or hope that Padalecki goes off-message again.

MORE: Supernatural Season 10 Details

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Supernatural Season 10 premieres on Tuesday, October 7, 2014.

Follow me on Twitter @benkendrick for further updates on Supernatural as well as future movie, TV, and gaming news.

Source: Zap 2 It & TV Line