What started out as a joke on Twitter has turned into strong possibility, as Deadline confirms The CW is considering a Vampire Diaries spinoff titled "The Originals."

The series would feature Klaus returning to New Orleans and reuniting with his former protege, a character named Marcel who TVD fans are yet to meet.

Network sources say the April 25 installment of the show will be penned as a backdoor pilot for the potential spinoff, meaning it will likely focus on Klaus, Marcel and The Big Easy in some manner.

Julie Plec would write and produce any Vampire Diaries follow-up, with Phoeboe Tonkin also set to star as Hayley.

No word yet on Rebekah, Kol, Elijah or the status of any other Originals in the project.

So... WOW. Major news, TV Fanatics. Nothing is definitive yet, of course, but considering the popularity of The Vampire Diaries and the trouble The CW has had establishing other hits, it would be very hard to believe that this spinoff does NOT happen.

Would you tune in for a Vampire Diaries spinoff all about The Originals?

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.