Is ‘Reaper’ Star Tyler Labine Abandoning Ship?

While the fate of The CW’s “Reaper” hangs in limbo, fans of slacker sidekick Tyler Labine may get the chance to see him in a new leading role.

After wrapping season two of the fantasy dramedy, Labine began work on a pilot for FOX’s “Sons of Tucson,” for which he plays the lead character.

“It’s [about] a 30-something slacker… who gets commissioned by these kids to pretend to be their dad for a day,” Labine told AccessHollywood.com’s Laura Saltman. “They pay me $250 bucks, and we kinda eventually realize it’s a mutually advantageous sort of venture.”

Reports of Labine’s role in the new pilot caused rumors to swirl about a possible cancellation of “Reaper,” and as far as a third season goes, Labine “doesn’t know” what the future holds.

“We were off the air for ten months [due to writers strike], we got put up against ‘Idol,’ we didn’t get any promotion really, so it’s not a shocker that we’re not doing well,” said Labine. “But there’s still a pretty good little core audience… with that, there’s always a chance.”

Even with a pilot in the works, Labine will definitely return to “Reaper,” should the network decide to renew it for another season.

In order to sign on for “Sons of Tucson,” Labine had to obtain a “second position contract,” which puts FOX in “second position” for the actor, should both shows be picked up.

“I am still obligated to do ‘Reaper’- gladly, obviously – but you know, if ‘Reaper’ is not gonna come back, I’m in a very good position to have a new show,” he added. “But if it does, then FOX has to recast my part in the ‘Sons of Tucson’ and I’ll go back and do ‘Reaper.’”

Season two of “Reaper” currently airs on The CW, Tuesday’s at 8/7 PM Central.