As the cast of Glee prepares to resume filming this month, casting rumors plague the web about over a dozen actors and performers that may or may not appear on Ryan Murphy's Fox hit during its sophomore season. Whether you are a child prodigy, child wizard, comedy legend or Oscar winner, chances are that you've been rumored for a five-episode arc over the past few weeks. To clear up the confusion once and for all, we've decided to sort through the rumored candidates to determine who the locks are to circulate the halls of William McKinley this fall, and which wannabes are most likely to be shoved back into the casting locker with blue slushie on their faces.
Going to Happen
· John Stamos
Executive producer Brad Fulchuk confirmed that the Full House alum will join the cast next season to play Emma Pillsbury's (Jayma Mays) dentist beau for several episodes. There is a significant chance that the love triangle between Schue-Emma-Emma's Dentist will end in an epic sing-off.
· Javier Bardem
After working with Glee creator Ryan Murphy on the set of Eat, Pray, Love, the Oscar-winner agreed to play a Spanish heavy metal rocker who befriends Artie. No word yet on how whether or not Bardem's arc will be multi-episodic.
· Charice
After denying rumors that she would Gleek out for the show's second season, the musical prodigy confirmed last month that she would be joining the cast as a foreign exchange student who competes with Lea Michele's character for the New Directions' spotlight. Bonus: Movieline staged the first sing-off between the two divas here.
Might Happen
· Carol Burnett
Although the comedy legend nominated herself for a role on the series, how could Ryan Murphy pass up the chance to cast Burnett as Jane Lynch's mother? Two months ago, Burnett hinted that she was on the same page to Access Hollywood -- "I'd do whatever they wanted me to, but I'd like to have a few scenes with Jane Lynch. I love her."
· Justin Timberlake
Face it: the curly-haired triple threat would be the perfect actor/performer/aspiring white-rapper to play Will Schuester's brother. Even Ryan Murphy confirmed that the entire cast is on board with the casting possibility: "[Justin] is the one the kids jump up and down about every day and beg me to meet with him. I'm a huge fan of his music. I think he's so talented. And he's a true triple threat: He can sing, dance, and act. So yeah, we'd love to have him on."
· Susan Boyle
Ryan Murphy offered two words when asked about casting the Britain's Got Talent chart-topper "Lunch. Lady." The creator continued, "I think Kurt would just die to give her a Christmas makeover. I don't even know if she's interested but it's been pitched."
· Snoop Dogg
Blame Cory Monteith for spreading the rumor that the recent True Blood super-fan will be clouding up the halls of William McKinley. Actually, blame Cory Monteith for most of the series' shortcomings.
· Jennifer Lopez
The triple threat already passed on the lunch lady role that Susan Boyle is rumored to be considered for a Christmas episode next season, though she still wants to participate on the show at some point. Now, if only Ryan Murphy would offer her an arc that doesn't involve a hair net or scooping mashed potatoes...
· Taye Diggs
Taye Diggs a.k.a.Mr. Idina Menzel (who played Rachel Berry's birth mother and the director of Vocal Adrenaline last season) nominated himself as a potential McKinley High visitor last month: "I love how they integrated Idina into the show, and I would love to be a guest." Well, he's got an in.
Probably Not Going to Happen
· Daniel Radcliffe
The Harry Potter star recently revealed that he is excited to focus on singing, dancing and Broadway next year and would consider a small cameo on Glee, although the actor modestly added, "But, I'm not sure I'm ready for that yet. They've got standards like Kristin Chenoweth!"
· Katie Holmes
Even though the actress proved that she can shimmy and lip sync her way through a Judy Garland classic during last summer's So You Think You Can Dance anniversary episode, Holmes' publicists have repeatedly denied that she would be appearing on Fox's other dance-related show.
· Matt Lucas
Last month, The Sun reported that the Little Britain actor had landed a role as a bitter British teacher with a secret passion for musicals in the hit US TV show. It was also rumored that Lucas would sing a song himself. However, the Sun's an unreliable source, and the casting was never confirmed Stateside.
· Victoria Beckham
If Fox will let Posh Spice guest-judge an episode of American Idol, who is to say that the network won't invite her back to to add a dose of "gay icon" to Glee's second season? At least, that is what the U.K. rag The Daily Star reported in May.
· Leona Lewis
After spending a night with cast members Matthew Morrison, Amber Riley and Chris Colfer, The Mirror reported that the British singer would be joining Glee for an episode next season. Although still a rumor, the X Factor winner has already performed opposite the real-life Schue. Consider this "Over the Rainbow" duet to be Leona's audition.
· Katy Perry
During a recent interview, the pop star tried to rally her fans around a Betty White-esque campaign for a guest-star gig on Glee: "Please! I would love somebody to start that Facebook group and persuade them. I would absolutely love that." (So far, the campaign's Facebook group has just over 200 members)