‘The Vampire Diaries' Season 8 Spoilers, News & Update: Has Nina Dobrev Put A High Price Tag On S8 Return? Elena Gilbert May Not Be At ‘TVD’ Finale?

"The Vampire Diaries" Season 8 has drama both on and offscreen, not the least of which is the see-saw over Nina Dobrev returning as Elena Gilbert for the "TVD" series finale. While fans wait with bated breath on being able to see Nina Dobrev reunite Elena Gilbert with lover Damon Salvatore (Ian Somerhalder) and friend Bonnie Bennett (Kat Graham), is a high price tag part of the issue on the negotiating block for "The Vampire Diaries" Season 8?

To be sure, a Nina Dobrev return in "The Vampire Diaries" Season 8 had seemed a foregone conclusion given "TVD" executive producer Julie Plec's confidence in her series finale agreement with the Elena Gilbert actress as TVLine reports. Julie Plec expressed earlier that she has a clear plan on how "The Vampire Diaries" series will end, which includes bringing Nina Dobrev back for another run as Elena Gilbert.

Here's to brothers. Very good-looking brothers that you can see on #TVD: https://t.co/U7EcnL206M pic.twitter.com/fILjaYPFUa

— The Vampire Diaries (@cwtvd) August 12, 2016

  Things do not seem as certain now among Nina Dobrev, Julie Plec and The CW. UPI cites Julie Plec on a tease that Nina Dobrev may not be 100 percent sure about bringing Elena Gilbert back for a final "The Vampire Diaries" farewell.

The final season of #TVD begins Friday, October 21 on The CW. #TVDForeverhttps://t.co/wbRKkQGIUL — The Vampire Diaries (@cwtvd) July 23, 2016

"There's been friendship promises made, and now we'll see if we can deliver on them," Julie Plec said. While some may wonder if the tag price on reprising Elena Gilbert has gone higher, Nina Dobrev fans would know that "TVD" pay could not be the only issue (if it is) as the former "The Vampire Diaries" star has a few projects lined up.

"Asystole" is the medical term for FLATLINE. Introducing #TeamAsystole #FLATLINERStheMovie pic.twitter.com/gFEfrMXAiv

— Nina Dobrev (@ninadobrev) August 15, 2016

The Hollywood Reporter cites The CW president Mark Pedowitz on stating that negotiations are going on with Nina Dobrev on "The Vampire Diaries" Season 8. Things may not be too optimistic, however, as The CW president speaks of a backup plan with Julie Plec on how "The Vampire Diaries" Season 8 will wrap things up without Nina Dobrev.

"Hopefully it will work out - but, should it not, Julie [Plec] has planned a great series finale for fans," Mark Pedowitz stated. Still, with or without Nina Dobrev, Ian Somerhalder, Kat Graham and Paul Wesley are expected to give "The Vampire Diaries" Season 8 killing performances as the trio bow out of "TVD."

The CW is scheduled to air "The Vampire Diaries" Season 8 premiere come Oct 21. Would you prefer to "The Vampire Diaries" Season 8 finale with or without Nina Dobrev?