'Heroes Reborn' Cast: 3 Reasons Why Hayden Panettiere May Not Have Been Asked To Return To Spinoff

There were three things we loved about the hit NBC series “Heroes”: the nail-biting drama, the supernatural plot and of course Hayden Panettiere. But one of those factors will be absent from the coming miniseries, “Heroes Reborn,” based on the original show — and we'll give you a hint: She’s blond and spunky.

Panettiere, who played a cell-rejuvenating cheerleader named Claire Bennet, won't be in the 13-episode spinoff, “Heroes Reborn.” Shocked? You weren’t the only one! Apparently Panettiere was flabbergasted when she learned that the show she starred on for more than four years would be creating a spinoff without her. Talk about being out of the loop.

“Well, it was a shock to me,” Panettiere admitted in an interview with Cosmopolitan. “I mean, we had nothing, nothing to do with it; it will definitely be interesting to see how they reinvent that.”

According to reports, “Heroes” creator Tim Kring will introduce a brand new storyline complete with a new cast when the series premieres in 2015. And while we’re excited for a fresh series to hit the airwaves, we have to admit… we’re kind of bummed we won’t see any of the characters that we’ve grown to know and love from the original show, especially Panettiere.

“It's a little bit of an interesting feeling because you go, 'That was our show, our home, our family,' something that we had a major part in creating as well, and, I mean, I hope that they don't have somebody else playing our characters. That would be a little dagger in the heart. But, you never know. I wish them success in it, for sure,” she said.

Panettiere’s comment struck a chord with us, forcing ourselves to ask the question: “Why wouldn’t the creators of the show want Hayden to return?” There has to be a reason, right?

1. Scheduling conflicts: This could be the most plausible reason why Panettiere won’t be returning to the small screen as Claire, and it may be because she’s too busy rocking out the role of Juliette Barnes on “Nashville.” “Nashville” is an ABC series that began in 2010. It won a slew of prestigious accolades from Golden Globes to People’s Choice. Perhaps Panettiere’s affiliation with the series made it impossible for “Heroes” to even consider her.

2. Drama on the set: Back in 2009, when "Heroes" was in full swing, insiders confessed that the golden-haired actress caused more drama on the set than there was in the series.

According to reports, Panettiere, who had just broken up with her boyfriend and co-star Milo Ventimiglia, wasn’t too thrilled about acting alongside a former flame. Even 10 months after the split!

“Milo hoped they could maintain a professional relationship,” a source leaked to The National Enquirer. But Panettiere had a different idea of how to cope. “She’s been badmouthing Milo behind the scenes to the producers. She gripes about doing scenes with him and flashes him dirty looks when they are not shooting. Hayden told Milo, ‘Will you please get over yourself! Your ego is getting in the way of my acting!’”

It's understandable why they might not want to rehire such a loose cannon.

3. Wedding fever: In October 2013 Panettiere announced her engagement to her longtime boyfriend Wladimir Klitschko. The two met in 2009, when the actress was on “Heroes,” and dated for two years before breaking up.

The duo rekindled their love in the spring and are expected to marry sometime in the near future. But could wedding plans be getting in the way of their careers? We know Panettiere has a hectic schedule already between “Nashville” and sponsorships. Perhaps planning her wedding on top of everything has just made appearing in the “Heroes” spinoff a no-go.

Our theorizing was put on hold when NBC Entertainment President Jennifer Salke said in a statement that she wouldn’t “rule out the possibility of some of the show's original cast members popping back in” in the sophomore series.

Eek! Just when we started to sweat!

Would you like to see Panettiere reprise her role in “Heroes Reborn”? Cast your vote below and tell us why in the comments section.